The set-up: The Los Angeles Clippers delivered a 108-95 home win over the Jazz on Saturday, clinching a playoff berth. More importantly, the victory closed them to within a half-game of the fourth-place Jazz with eight games left, six of which are at home. The first of those six is this afternoon at Staples Center against the 27-45 Sacramento Kings.
Sacramento has dropped four in a row after a 114-100 loss at Golden State on Friday and since trading Cousins at the All Star break, is just 3-12.

Sacramento: Rookie guard Buddy Hield was the player the Kings most-coveted in the deal with the Pelicans and he is providing at least a glimmer of hope for the future. He's averaging 14.7 PPG in his 15 games with the Kings (on 50.0 percent shooting) and had personal-best 22 at Golden State. Veteran Tyreke Evans continues to receive several games off to rest - including Friday - but he is averaging 14 points while shooting 53.3 percent from three-point range when in the lineup since joining the Kings last month. However, Sacramento has allowed at least 110 points in every game during its losing streak and is on the verge of clinching an 11th straight season out of the playoffs.

LA Clippers: LA's win over Utah was its fourth in five games and reserve guard Jamal Crawford led the way with a season-high 28 points on 8-of-12 from the floor. Fellow reserves Marreese Speights (11 points, 10 rebounds) and Austin Rivers (11 points) also helped out, as LA's starting-five shot a collective 36.5 percent. Los Angeles clinched its franchise-record sixth consecutive postseason berth with Saturday's win but it's right back out on the court, this afternoon.

The pick: Yes, Los Angeles has won 18 of its last 21 games against Sacramento but the Clippers are a modest 18-17 ATS at Staples Center on the season. This is a big number. Take the points and make Sacramento an 8* play.