PREMIUM
Stephen Nover's NBA Sunday Top Ticket
(NBA) Portland vs. LA Clippers,
03/18/2018 6:30 PM, Score: 122 - 109
Money Line: -130.00 LA Clippers (Home)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -130.00 LA Clippers (Home)
Result: Loss
We're getting down to must-win mode in some NBA matchups. That's the case in this game for the Clippers.
LA has lost two in a row falling to the Rockets and Thunder, both on the road. No shame in that. But those defeats dropped the Clippers to 1 1/2 games out of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Following this home matchup, the Clippers play six of their next seven games on the road. The first four of those away contests are against the Timberwolves, Bucks, Pacers and Raptors. I doubt the Clippers will be favored in any of those games.
So there is a tremendous sense of urgency for the Clippers to win this game.
Portland is playing its best ball winning 12 in a row. This isn't so much a fade on the Trail Blazers as a play on the Clippers because of the spot. However, Portland has won nine of their past 12 wins at home. Two of their road victories during this span were against the Lakers and Suns. The last time Portland was away from Moda Center was 13 days ago. They won't go back on the road after this until next Sunday.
The Trail Blazers don't need this game nearly as much as the Clippers being in good shape to earn the No. 3 seed in the West. Portland carries a high fatigue rating, too, playing for the third time in four days and without rest having defeated Detroit, 100-87, last night. The Trail Blazers have a marquee home game up next hosting the Rockets on Tuesday.
There's the outside chance the Trail Blazers may not have their All-Star guard Damian Lillard for this game as the due date for the birth of his son is Monday. If the birth occurs earlier, though, Lilllard said he would be there for the occasion.
LA has lost two in a row falling to the Rockets and Thunder, both on the road. No shame in that. But those defeats dropped the Clippers to 1 1/2 games out of the last playoff spot in the Western Conference.
Following this home matchup, the Clippers play six of their next seven games on the road. The first four of those away contests are against the Timberwolves, Bucks, Pacers and Raptors. I doubt the Clippers will be favored in any of those games.
So there is a tremendous sense of urgency for the Clippers to win this game.
Portland is playing its best ball winning 12 in a row. This isn't so much a fade on the Trail Blazers as a play on the Clippers because of the spot. However, Portland has won nine of their past 12 wins at home. Two of their road victories during this span were against the Lakers and Suns. The last time Portland was away from Moda Center was 13 days ago. They won't go back on the road after this until next Sunday.
The Trail Blazers don't need this game nearly as much as the Clippers being in good shape to earn the No. 3 seed in the West. Portland carries a high fatigue rating, too, playing for the third time in four days and without rest having defeated Detroit, 100-87, last night. The Trail Blazers have a marquee home game up next hosting the Rockets on Tuesday.
There's the outside chance the Trail Blazers may not have their All-Star guard Damian Lillard for this game as the due date for the birth of his son is Monday. If the birth occurs earlier, though, Lilllard said he would be there for the occasion.
