NBA
(12/21/22) 8:30 PM Eastern.
Spread: Hornets +8.5 / Clippers -8.5
Moneyline: Hornets +285 / Clippers -350
Total: Over / Under 226
The Pick: LA Clippers -8.5
The Clippers are hot with Kawhi Leonard returning to form, winning 4 of their last 5. Charlotte on the other hand has lost 9 of their last 10 games and own the 2nd worst record in the entire NBA... In the Clippers last 5 games Kawhi is averaging 22 points on 49.3% shooting. He’s also adding 8.5 boards and 1.8 blocks per game. He’s left some meat on the bone from behind the Arc, shooting just 23.3 % from deep. The 3-point shooting match-up is one the Clippers can exploit. Since Kawhi came back and opened up the floor, the Clippers have attempted the 11th most 3’s per game, up from their season average of 18th. The Hornets have been a middle of the pack 3-point defense but since Lamelo Ball returned (minus perimeter defender), the Hornets have allowed teams to shoot 41.5% from 3 (2nd worst in the NBA). The Hornets are also attempting more 3’s with Ball back, 2nd in the league in attempts but shooting just 33.1% (5th worst). The Clippers are holding teams to just 33.8 % from deep this season (4th best) and 32.1% since Leonard returned. Even without Kawhi and playing in Charlotte, these Clippers held the Hornets to just 35.3% from behind the Arc while shooting 41.7% themselves in early December.
The Clippers are also 5-1 ATS last 6 games while Charlotte is just 1-4 ATS following a SU win. LAC are 4-1 L5 meetings vs Charlotte and 4-1 L5 meetings vs Charlotte at home.
