The Los Angeles Clippers (25-26) visit the Spectrum Center Sunday to take on the Charlotte Hornets (28-22) at 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Clippers vs. Hornets odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Hornets are one of the better covering teams in the NBA with a 30-20 showing against the spread (ATS). They are coming off a 117-114 win over the Los Angeles Lakers Friday, but failed to cover as 9.5-point home favorites and have covered just 1 of their last 4 games.
The Hornets are 14-7 at home, including 6-4 ATS as home favorites. The Clippers, a team that’s been down their two key superstars in SF Kawhi Leonard and SG Paul George, are 10-14 on the road and 9-7 ATS as road underdogs.
The Clippers rank 10th in opponents’ points per game and third in opponents’ 3-point percentage, both of which will be tested Sunday. Los Angeles has covered 6 of its last 7.
Clippers at Hornets odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:16 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Clippers +180 (bet $100 to win $180) | Hornets -230 (bet $230 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Clippers +5.5 (-110) | Hornets -5.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 224.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)
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Clippers at Hornets key injuries
Clippers
- PF Nicolas Batum (back) questionable
Home
- SF Gordon Hayward (health and safety protocols) out
- PF Jalen McDaniels (ankle) out
- SG Kelly Oubre Jr. (ankle) questionable
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Clippers at Hornets odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Hornets 117, Clippers 109
Money line
PASS.
The Clippers are playing too well at the moment to make a Hornets’ -230 worth a wager. Similarly, Charlotte has been too good at home to back an upset wager at +180 for Los Angeles.
Against the spread
LEAN to the HORNETS -5.5 (-110).
They have the pace and depth to give the Clippers some problems. Charlotte ranks second in pace with Los Angeles sitting 16th.
The pace of this game will be a huge factor in who covers, and with the Hornets averaging the most points in the NBA at home, they should continue their hot streak.
Also, the Clippers’ defense rating drops over a point on the road as they slide from No. 7 overall to No. 9 when on the road. They also have a minus-2.4 net rating on the road.
The Hornets rank second in fast-break points per game and fourth in points in the paint. The Clippers defense is 22nd and 26th in those, respectively.
Charlotte should be able to get out and run, giving Los Angeles some issues and ultimately covering.
Over/Under
BET OVER 224.5 (-108).
Charlotte is going to force this game to be played at its pace. Having scored 117 and 158 in their last 2 games, the Hornets are playing quick and efficient basketball. They’ve hit the Over in 3 straight games.
For Los Angeles, it has hit the Over in 5 of its last 7, pushing once as well. The Clippers rank 9th in pace of their last 5. Both teams are trending towards more points in this battle.
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