Pro Hoops on Sunday and we will see the Los Angeles Lakers take on the Los Angeles Clippers at the Staples Center. The game is scheduled for a 3:30 pm (Eastern) start time and will be televised on ABC. Currently the Odds for the game have the Clippers favored by 5 points while the total sits at 200.5.
Analysis: The Lakers are desperately trying to hold onto the final playoff spot in the Western Conference, entering play on Sunday with just a half-game lead over 9th-place Utah. The Lakers have gotten to this position with three straight victories (2-0-1 ATS), despite having their leading assist man, PG Steve Nash, play just two minutes during the win streak due to a hamstring injury. Nash is listed as doubtful for Sunday. The Lakers have a potent offense that scores 102.1 PPG (6th in NBA) on 45.8% FG (10th in league) and 35.6% threes (16th in NBA). They had scored 100+ points in six straight games before Friday's 86-84 win over Memphis, which allows the fewest points in the league at 89.8 PPG. Defensively, this team is far from polished, allowing 101.0 PPG (7th-worst in NBA) on 45.4% FG (15th in league) and 35.8% threes (also 15th in NBA). Although the Lakers commit the 5th-most turnovers in the league (14.8 TOPG), they are a strong rebounding team with a +2.0 RPG margin (8th in league) and 44.8 total RPG (2nd in NBA). SG Kobe Bryant (27.0 PPG, 6.0 APG, 5.5 RPG) has shot poorly in his past four games (38% FG, 0-for-15 threes), but has contributed in other ways during his team's three-game win streak with 11.3 APG, 8.3 RPG and 2.3 SPG. He's been on fire against his L.A. rival this season with 32.7 PPG on 59% FG with 5.0 APG and 2.3 SPG in the three losses to the Clippers. C Dwight Howard (16.6 PPG, 12.6 RPG, 2.4 BPG) has also played big in the season series with 17.3 PPG (61% FG) and 10.3 RPG. He was one point shy of extending his double-double streak to 15 games on Friday, as he's averaged a whopping 19.0 PPG, 14.6 PPG and 2.9 BPG over this 15-game stretch.
The Clippers had lost three in a row before crushing Phoenix 126-101 in their most recent game on Wednesday. Over the past four seasons, this series is tied 7-7 SU, but the Clippers hold the 10-4 ATS advantage. They have also won and covered all three matchups this season, including a 125-101 blowout in the most recent meeting on Valentine's Day. The Clippers have a quality offense that has scored 101.0 PPG this season (8th in NBA) on 47.7% FG (5th in league), but a mediocre 35.6% threes (17th in NBA). In the season series between the two L.A. teams, the Clippers are averaging a robust 112.3 PPG on 49% FG and 46% threes. They always work hard on the defensive end, surrendering just 94.8 PPG (4th in NBA) on 44.5% FG (10th in league), but do a horrible job of defending long-range shooters, as they give up 37.7% threes (4th-worst in NBA). They help themselves out defensively with a league-leading 9.7 steals per game, +2.2 RPG margin (6th in NBA), and 5.6 blocks per contest (7th in league). PG Chris Paul (16.9 PPG) ranks second in the NBA in both assists (9.6 APG) and steals (2.42 SPG), and has been playing exceptionally well in his past nine games with 18.4 PPG (46% FG), 9.8 APG and 2.9 SPG. This includes 15 points, 12 assists and four steals in Wednesday's win. He has also been too much for the Lakers to handle this season with 24.0 PPG (48% FG), 13.7 APG, 4.3 RPG and 2.3 SPG in the three victories. PF Blake Griffin (18.1 PPG, 8.4 RPG) has also played very well in the L.A. series with 20.3 PPG (57% FG) and 7.7 RPG. But he hasn't been great down the stretch, scoring just 13.4 PPG (42% FG) and 6.3 RPG over his past eight games.
Pick: Big games usually bring the defensive intensity and I expect that here, which is why I will go with the Under in this one.
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NBA Free Picks: Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers
What pro basketball bettors need to know about Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday (4/07/13) - a free pick from Pregame.com's Marco D'Angelo, with Ken Thomson.