The Charlotte Hornets (5-5) visit Staples Center Sunday for a 9 p.m. ET tip-off against the Los Angeles Clippers (4-4). Below, we look at the Hornets vs. Clippers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions, and bets.
Charlotte has lost four of its last five games including three straight to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings. The Hornets are 5-5 ATS and 7-3 O/U with the 22nd-best net rating (minus-2.8).
L.A. is the winner of three in a row, which includes a two-game miniseries sweep at the Minnesota Timberwolves Wednesday and Friday. The Clippers are 4-4 ATS and 2-6 O/U with the ninth-best net rating (plus-3.1).
The Clippers have won six straight against the Hornets (5-1 ATS) and both regular-season meetings last year by double digits. L.A. wing Paul George led the Clippers in scoring for both games, averaging 20.5 points, 7.5 rebounds and 8.0 assists per game in the two meetings.
Hornets at Clippers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:38 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Hornets +175 (bet $100 to win $175) | Clippers -220 (bet $220 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Hornets +5.5 (-112) | Clippers -5.5 (-108)
- Over/Under (O/U): 223.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Hornets at Clippers key injuries
Hornets
- C Mason Plumlee (ribs) probable
- PF P.J. Washington (elbow) out
Clippers
- PF Marcus Morris (knee) out
Hornets at Clippers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Clippers 116, Hornets 106
Money line
PASS even though L.A. has won three straight, Charlotte has lost three straight and the Clippers have owned the Hornets in recent seasons. The long-term return on investment isn’t there with the Clippers (-210).
Against the spread
BET the CLIPPERS -5.5 (-108) for 1 unit because L.A. is better than its record indicates and Charlotte is worse.
CleaningTheGlass.com says the Clippers have one less win than they should based on efficiency differential and the Hornets have one more win than they should, and ShotQuality.com says L.A.’s record should be 6-2, not 4-4, according to its adjusted shot quality differential. While Charlotte should be 4-6 instead of 5-5 based on its adjusted shot quality differential.
Both teams employ guard-dominant rotations but the Clippers have better guards, more continuity and the best player on the floor. Typically, Charlotte has an edge when it plays small-ball but not in this game.
PG is an MVP frontrunner through the first few weeks of the season as he’s scoring the second-most PPG in the NBA (27.9) and has the fourth-highest usage rate.
Charlotte’s last-place defensive efficiency is the perfect elixir for an L.A. offense that’s been inconsistent thus far. The Hornets allow too many 3-point attempts, send foes to the charity stripe too often and don’t collect enough defensive rebounds.
Over/Under
PASS because of L.A. previously noted inconsistencies on offense and Charlotte’s abysmal defense. Plus both teams play at a top-10 pace.
However, Unders have been far more profitable in the NBA to start the season and the Under has cashed in seven of the last nine Hornets-Clippers meetings.
If you’re looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW. Please gamble responsibly.
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