PREMIUM
Rogers' Thursday TNT DYNO-MITE >>> SIZZLING 19-7 Run!
(NBA) San Antonio vs. LA Clippers,
Total: 204.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
Total: 204.00 | -110.00 Under
Result: Win
The set-up: The 21-8 LA Clippers will host the 23-5 San Antonio Spurs in the second half of Thursday night's TNT doubleheader. The Clippers routed the Spurs 116-92 back on Nov. 5 at San Antonio, a game in which the Spurs' starting backcourt (Parker and Green) missed. The Spurs have gone 17-3 since that home loss to the Clippers, while the Clippers have cooled off from a 14-2 start to the season, going just 7-6 since Nov. 25.
San Antonio: Duncan is retired plus Parker (10.0 & 4.4 APG) and Ginobili (7.8-2.5-2.5) are more role players these days. However, the 23-5 Spurs still own the NBA's second-best record behind the 25-4 Warriors. Leonard and Aldridge are now the team's two "go-to" guys but Pop still has great depth plus players who "know how to play"and exactly what their roles are. The Rockets learned that all to well this past Tuesday, when a three-pointer by Patty Mills, after a superb pass from Manu Ginobili, with 12.9 seconds left capped a 19-4 spurt in the final 4:39 as the Spurs prevailed 102-100. Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points and recorded five steals in Tuesday's win and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is experiencing another outstanding season, averaging 23.9 PPG (on 46.8 percent shooting) along with 5.9 RPG. LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 & 10 against the Rockets and has put up 16.6 PPG & 6.9 RPG on the season.
LA Clippers: LA's depth will be tested now that All Star forward Blake Griffin (21.2-8.8-4.7) could be out for as much as six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday. The Clippers didn't really miss Blake Griffin in their first game after his knee surgery, routing the Denver Nuggets 119-102. Point guard Chris Paul (17.6-5.1-9.7) almost recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds, while Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick (15.5) finished with 27 points (nailed seven three-pointers). Center DeAndre Jordan (11.8 & 13.0) also delivered valuable contributions with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The pick: The Clippers were one of the NBA's best defensive teams in their hot start but enter this game having allowed 100-plus points in seven of their last eight games (allowed 98 in the other one!). In fact, 11 of LA's last 15 games have gone over and that's the play in this one. Make the Over a 10*.
San Antonio: Duncan is retired plus Parker (10.0 & 4.4 APG) and Ginobili (7.8-2.5-2.5) are more role players these days. However, the 23-5 Spurs still own the NBA's second-best record behind the 25-4 Warriors. Leonard and Aldridge are now the team's two "go-to" guys but Pop still has great depth plus players who "know how to play"and exactly what their roles are. The Rockets learned that all to well this past Tuesday, when a three-pointer by Patty Mills, after a superb pass from Manu Ginobili, with 12.9 seconds left capped a 19-4 spurt in the final 4:39 as the Spurs prevailed 102-100. Kawhi Leonard scored 21 points and recorded five steals in Tuesday's win and the reigning Defensive Player of the Year is experiencing another outstanding season, averaging 23.9 PPG (on 46.8 percent shooting) along with 5.9 RPG. LaMarcus Aldridge had 17 & 10 against the Rockets and has put up 16.6 PPG & 6.9 RPG on the season.
LA Clippers: LA's depth will be tested now that All Star forward Blake Griffin (21.2-8.8-4.7) could be out for as much as six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday. The Clippers didn't really miss Blake Griffin in their first game after his knee surgery, routing the Denver Nuggets 119-102. Point guard Chris Paul (17.6-5.1-9.7) almost recorded a triple-double with 16 points, 15 assists and eight rebounds, while Clippers shooting guard J.J. Redick (15.5) finished with 27 points (nailed seven three-pointers). Center DeAndre Jordan (11.8 & 13.0) also delivered valuable contributions with 13 points and 13 rebounds.
The pick: The Clippers were one of the NBA's best defensive teams in their hot start but enter this game having allowed 100-plus points in seven of their last eight games (allowed 98 in the other one!). In fact, 11 of LA's last 15 games have gone over and that's the play in this one. Make the Over a 10*.
