The Washington Wizards (29-34) meet the Los Angeles Clippers (34-33) Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena for a 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off. Below, we look at the Wizards vs. Clippers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
Washington is 2-3 straight up (SU) but 3-2 against the spread (ATS) since the All-Star break. The Wizards most recently beat the Indiana Pacers 133-123 Sunday before embarking on this 4-game West Coast road swing.
L.A. got clobbered 112-97 Tuesday by the Golden State Warriors as a 6-point road underdog for its second straight loss. However, the Clippers are 4-2 SU and 3-3 ATS following the All-Star game.
The Wizards blew a 35-point lead in a 116-115 home loss to the Clippers Jan. 25. Los Angeles SG Luke Kennard’s 4-point play with 1.9 seconds remaining capped the comeback.
Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NBA March 9 breakdown
Wizards at Clippers 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 2:32 p.m. ET.
- Money line (ML): Wizards +145 (bet $100 to win $145) | Clippers -180 (bet $180 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Wizards +4.5 (-115) | Clippers -4.5 (-107)
- Over/Under (O/U): 216.5 (O: -115 | U: -107)
Wizards at Clippers key injuries
Wizards
- None
Clippers
- PF Robert Covington (personal reasons) doubtful
[tipico]
Wizards at Clippers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Wizards 109, Clippers 106
Money line
SPRINKLE on the WIZARDS (+145).
Washington most likely had this game circled on its calendar after blowing a 35-point lead in the first meeting with the Clippers.
More importantly, Washington’s spread feels like a sharp play and the Wizards play better without SG Bradley Beal in the lineup.
Beal has a minus-0.3 adjusted on/off net rating and the Wizards are 12-11 SU in games Beal misses, according to CleaningTheGlass.com. There’s just crisper ball movement and better selection when Beal is not on the floor.
Finally, Washington should be at peak motivation for this game. The Wizards are 1½ games behind the Atlanta Hawks for the 10th place and the final play-in seed in the East, and Washington’s loss to L.A. earlier this season was the biggest collapse this season.
Again, the play is to SPRINKLE on the WIZARDS (+145), if at all, and hit Washington’s spread harder.
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Against the spread
Definitely BET the WIZARDS +4.5 (-115) heavier than or instead of their ML because the Clippers struggle when playing fatigued.
L.A. is 10-12 ATS with a rest disadvantage (minus-1.8 ATS margin) and 4-6 ATS on the second of a back-to-back (minus-3.3 ATS margin). Also, the Clippers are just 10-14 ATS as home favorites with a minus-3.5 ATS margin.
I gave this play out on this week’s Bet Slippin’ Podcast (shameless plug). WASHINGTON +4.5 (-115) is my favorite wager in this game.
Over/Under
PASS.
There’s too small of a margin between my prediction and the projected total.
If anything, I “lean” Under 216.5 (-107) because the Clippers are seventh in defensive rating and the Wizards score nearly 4 fewer points per game on the road.
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