Tag: Staples Center

NBA family reacts to Kobe tragedy

NBA family and fans around the world mourn Kobe Bryant’s death.

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New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s New York Knicks at Los Angeles Clippers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New York Knicks (10-25) head to Tinseltown to play the Los Angeles Clippers (25-12) at Staples Center for a 3:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze Knicks-Clippers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Knicks at Clippers: Key injuries

Knicks

  • PG Dennis Smith Jr. (oblique) questionable
  • PG Elfrid Payton (personal) questionable

Clippers

  • SF Paul George (hamstring) questionable
  • SF Kawhi Leonard (load management) questionable
  • PG Patrick Beverley (wrist) questionable

Knicks at Clippers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Clippers 114, Knicks 97

Moneyline (ML)

The Clippers (-385) should win this game handily since they have the second-best record straight up (9-3), and the best record against the spread (8-4) and margin of victory (+10.6) versus non-conference opponents. Both teams have been inconsistent as of late, each going 5-5 in their last 10 games, although inconsistent is an improvement for the Knicks (+300). Between the on-paper mismatch, the Clippers’ strong 15-4 home record and the lack of value for the Clippers to win straight up, I am staying away from any moneyline wager.

PASS.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

It’ll be tough for the Knicks (+7.5, -106) to get hustle buckets for several reasons. First, the Clippers are ranked ninth in opponent points in the paint, while the Knicks are 28th in points in the paint. Second, the Knicks are just 29th in fast-break points so they won’t be able to exploit the Clippers’ weak defense against opponent fast-break points (ranked 26th). Third, one of the strengths of the Knicks is scoring second-chance points (ranked fourth) but the Clippers allow the sixth-fewest second-chance points in the NBA.

Bet CLIPPERS (-7.5, -115). The Clippers are on a back-to-back, but they got boat raced by the Memphis Grizzlies 140-114 Saturday and are going to take it out on the Knicks.

Over/Under (O/U)

As discussed above, don’t count on the Knicks to create much offense against the Clippers. The Grizzlies hit 18 of 39 3-pointers last night but again, that was an NBA regular-season anomaly the Knicks won’t duplicate. The Clippers defense is ranked No. 4 in opponent 3-point percentage and the Knicks are ranked 29th. Furthermore, the combined Over/Under records of the two teams is 32-40 and this could be a Sunday snoozer with the Clippers motivated to defend.

LEAN, not like, UNDER 222.5 (-115) because of the current injury report. If Beverley plays, the Clippers defense is more stout. If George and/or Leonard plays, their offense should be more productive.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Geoffery_Clark and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Wednesday’s Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Lakers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Phoenix Suns (13-20) visit the Los Angeles Lakers (26-7) Wednesday at Staples Center for a 10:30 p.m. ET tip-off. We analyze the Suns-Lakers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

The Suns are 1-2 on a current four-game road trip, winning their last two: 122-116 at the Portland Trail Blazers Monday and 112-110 at the Sacramento Kings Saturday. Devin Booker and Kelly Oubre Jr. scored 33 and 29 points, respectively, as the Suns overcame a 19-point deficit after the first quarter in Portland.

The Lakers are also on a two-game win streak, most recently defeating the Dallas Mavericks 108-95 at home Sunday. Anthony Davis led the charge with 23 points, while LeBron James finished with 13 points and 13 assists on his 35th birthday. LeBron also became the ninth player in NBA history to reach 9,000 career assists in the win.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Suns at Lakers: Key injuries

Suns

  • PF Frank Kaminsky (knee) questionable

Lakers

  • PF Anthony Davis (shoulder) probable

Suns at Lakers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 7:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Lakers 118, Suns 112

Moneyline (ML)

The Lakers are going to win if Anthony Davis plays or not. They’re such big ML favorites (-625), it’s not worth the risk vs. the payoff. Every $6.25 wagered on the Lakers will only profit $1 if they win. If you’re willing to take a shot that the Suns (+450) somehow pull of an upset, they offer a 4.5-to-1 payoff, but I’m going to PASS.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The SUNS (+11.5, -115) are the STRONGEST PLAY. It’s just too many points. They’re 3-1 ATS as an underdog between 10-12 points, while the Lakers are 3-4 ATS as a 10- to 12-point favorite. The Suns are also 7-4 ATS as a road dog.

New to sports betting? Every $1.15 wagered on the Suns here will profit $1 if they win outright or stay within 12 points in a loss. (Ex: Bet $11.50 to profit $10 or bet $115 to profit $100).

Over/Under (O/U)

A slight lean to the OVER 224.5 (-129). If Davis doesn’t play, I like it even more as the Lakers defense – ranked fourth in points allowed (105.3 PPG) – will take a hit. L.A. can replace A.D.’s scoring, but it can’t replace his team-leading blocks (2.5 BPG) and steals (1.5 SPG). Meanwhile, Phoenix, which is 20-13 O/U on the season and on a little bit of a roll, gives up 115.1 PPG and both offenses rank in the top-9 in scoring.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Johnny’s December record: 22-10-1. Strongest plays: 11-3.

Follow @JohnnyParlay11 and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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LeBron James meets with fan Corey Groves who is bravely battling cancer

LeBron James meets with fan Corey Groves who is bravely battling cancer at Staples Center on Christmas Day.

On Sunday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, LeBron James met with a fan who is bravely battling cancer. Corey Groves, who was diagnosed with stage four sarcoma cancer and given under a year to live, had a wish to meet James in the coming months. That wish came true on Christmas Day.

Raptors superfan, Nav Bhatia, helped arrange the meeting where Corey connected with James prior to tip-off against the Clippers. Groves, who hails from Brampton, Ontario, was diagnosed with the devastating disease about six months ago. Since that time, according to CTV News in Canada, the 17-year-old has been through 12 rounds of chemotherapy and continues to wear an inspirational smile on his face.

On Christmas Day, Groves was able to do the one thing he wanted to do when he met his idol – shake his hand.

“I only want to shake his hand,” Groves said ahead of the meeting. “I’ll thank him for being an overall generous and a kind person.”

“It makes me feel pretty good, to see everyone came together and made it happen.”

Groves shared an image of he and LeBron on his Instagram page, @coreyswish2019. Thoughts and prayers go out to Corey as he continues his courageous fight.

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The Clippers sell $10 tickets at …

The Clippers sell $10 tickets at Staples Center on game day — first come, first served, with 50 to 200 tickets available for each game. They also provide the 120,000 participants in their Jr. Clippers youth basketball program with a free ticket to one game each season; parents pay for their game tickets. The Lakers suggested the option of their minor league affiliate, the South Bay Lakers. The team plays at the Lakers’ team headquarters in El Segundo, where parking is free, and a $125 family pack includes $40 in food and beverage credit.

How to Watch Rockets vs. Clippers, NBA Live Stream, Schedule, TV Channel, Start Time

Watch Rockets vs. Clippers Live Online.

The Western Conference is loaded with star power this season after a plethora of teams made offseason moves. Two of those franchises were the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. They clash in a key game on Thursday.

Rockets vs. Clippers

When: Thursday, December 19

Time: 10:30 p.m. ET

TV: TNT

Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

The last game for the Houston Rockets was an emotional one, as they earned a dramatic 109-107 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. In a rematch of a game the Rockets protested earlier in the season due to a James Harden dunk that was not counted, the Rockets came back from a 25-point deficit to grab the win. Russell Westbrook led the Rockets with 31 points. It will be interesting to see how the emotions of that night impact the Rockets in their clash with the Clippers.

Los Angeles enjoyed a much less dramatic affair during its last game, as the Clippers collected a 120-99 win over the Phoenix Suns. Paul George scored 24 points for the Clippers, while Kawhi Leonard had 20 points. That balance between the two stars has been an impressive feature of this new-look Clippers team, as both stars have played without an ego. A strong bench has also provided them with plenty of support.

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Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Tuesday’s Phoenix Suns at Los Angeles Clippers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Phoenix Suns (11-15) and Los Angeles Clippers (20-8) tangle at Staples Center at 10:30 p.m. ET Tuesday. We analyze the Suns-Clippers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Get some action on this game or others by placing a bet at BetMGM.

Suns at Clippers: Key injuries

Suns: SG Tyler Johnson (illness) and PG Devin Booker (forearm) are each listed as questionable. C DeAndre Ayton (suspension) is eligible to return Tuesday after a 25-game suspension.

Clippers: PF Jeff Green (tailbone) is not expected to play, while PG Patrick Beverley (concussion) is a question mark. SG Lou Williams (calf) is also questionable.

Suns at Clippers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 10:40 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Clippers 118, Suns 111

Moneyline (ML)

The Clippers (-910) are heavily favored to win, but they’re not a great play. Risking over nine times the return is just hacky, even if you had this in a 10-game parlay. Plus, Ayton is a real wild card in his return for the Suns (+575).

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The SUNS (+12.5, -105) are on a 4-1-1 ATS run across their past six games, and 7-3 ATS in the past 10 games overall. They’re playing on the second end of a back-to-back, but they’re 9-3 ATS in the past 12 games when working on no rest. While the Suns are 0-7 ATS in the past seven trips to L.A., and 2-7 ATS in the past nine meetings, Ayton’s return should spark something in the Suns. However, watch Booker’s status, especially. If he is unable to return, it negates the return of Ayton substantially.

Over/Under (O/U)

PASS. There are just too many variables to bet the total (224.5) in this game. Will Ayton return with a vengeance, or will he be rusty? Booker’s status also makes things rather questionable in terms of the total. The Over is 5-0 in Phoenix’s past five on no rest, and 4-0 in L.A.’s past four following a straight-up loss. If there is a lean, it’s to the Over (-128). But good luck with that. Too risky.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @JoeWilliamsVI and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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WATCH: LeBron James becomes first NBA player to record triple-double against all 30 teams

LeBron James made NBA history becoming the first player to get a triple-double against all 30 teams in the league.

LeBron James has added yet another basketball milestone to his long list of them, becoming the first player in NBA history to record a triple-double against all 30 teams in the league.

He did so Tuesday night in a 112-107 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center, going for 25 points, 11 boards and 10 assists. That marked his fifth triple-double of the season and the 86th of his career.

“Coach (Frank) Vogel came in here and said, ‘Congratulations,’ and I thought he was joking about my seven turnovers,” James said to the Associated Press. “I really don’t know what to think about it. I just think it’s a pretty cool stat to know, and I’m glad it happened in a win.”

Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is next in line to get a triple-double against all 30 teams, only missing his former team of 11 years, Oklahoma City.