A ten-game slate in the NBA on Saturday, March 11, will start with this inter-conference clash, so make sure you don’t miss out on the best Knicks vs. Clippers betting pick and odds.
New York is looking to avoid the third loss in a row, while Los Angeles hopes to get the third straight victory when they meet at Crypto.com Arena. The Clippers are 5-point favorites on BetOnline Sportsbook, while the total is set at N/A points. These inter-conference rivals will face for the second time this year; the Clippers won 134-128 in overtime in New York.
Knicks lost tightly to the Kings in Sacramento
The New York Knicks (39-29, 37-28-3 ATS) went through their best period of the campaign during which they recorded nine consecutive wins but then lost the next two. After a shocking home defeat to the Charlotte Hornets, the Knicks opened their four-game road trip in the west with a 122-117 loss against the Sacramento Kings. New York trailed by 16 points at halftime, and although the visitors showed a better display in the second 24 minutes, it wasn’t enough to make a comeback. The Knicks weren’t good from the field (41.6%), but at least they dominated the boards (58-42) with even 23 offensive rebounds.
R.J. Barrett led the Knicks with a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds. Julius Randle posted a double-double of 23 points and ten boards along with five assists and two steals, Jalen Brunson and Quentin Grimes each scored 19 points, Josh Hart had nine points, a game-high 15 rebounds, team-high seven dimes, and team-high three thefts, while Mitchell Robinson chipped in nine points and eight boards.
PG Jalen Brunson aggravated his left foot injury against Sacramento and exited the game, so he is questionable to face the Clippers on Saturday.
Clippers beat the Raptors at home
The Los Angeles Clippers (35-33, 33-35-0 ATS) snapped a five-game losing skid with a pair of victories over the Memphis Grizzlies and Toronto Raptors. Both wins came at home as the Clippers successfully opened their five-game home stand. Los Angeles was excellent from the floor (54.9%) and kept the Raptors to below 40.0% from the field, and even though Toronto made 13 triples opposite the Clippers’ six, the hosts hit 11 more free throws (24-13).
Kawhi Leonard led the Clippers in a 108-100 win with a double-double of a game-high 24 points and game-high 12 rebounds along with four assists and game-high three steals. Paul George was right behind with 23 points and four dishes, Ivica Zubac chipped in 17 points, eight boards, and two blocks, while Terance Mann posted a 14/4/4 line.
SF Norman Powell (shoulder) is out indefinitely and SG Brandon Boston Jr. (tailbone) is questionable to meet the Knicks on Saturday.
Trends:
New York:
- 8-2-1 ATS in the last 11 games overall
- 6-1 ATS in the last seven games vs. a team with a winning straight-up record
- 7-2 ATS in the last nine games playing on one day of rest
Los Angeles:
- 2-5 ATS in the last seven games overall
- 2-5 ATS in the last seven home games
- 5-21 ATS in the last 26 games playing on two days of rest
New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pick
The Knicks will be playing the first game of a back-to-back set, and even if they be without Brunson here, I think they can put up a fight and cause some trouble for the Clippers. If Brunson is unavailable, Immanuel Quickley will get another start and will be highly motivated to bounce back from a 3-point display against Sacramento. Quickley scored a career-high 38 in his start against Boston when Brunson was previously forced to miss a game. New York is better in both offense and defense. The Knicks score 115.3 points per game opposite the Clippers’ 112.6 points per contest, while New York allows 112.5 ppg opposite Los Angeles’ 112.8 ppg. I am not saying the Knicks will get a win here, but I am backing them to cover.
Pick: Take the Knicks at +6.5 (-133)
The Total
The Clippers’ defense did impress in the latest game against Toronto, but it wasn’t very good in several games prior to that one. Aside from that tilt, Los Angeles allowed 115+ points in five of six games, while New York’s offense has been improving recently, so I am backing the visitors to go 115+ here without problems. Over is 7-2 in the last nine H2H meetings; Over is 8-2 in the Knicks’ previous ten vs. a team with a winning straight-up record, while Over is 19-7 in the Clippers’ last 26 games following an ATS win.
Pick: Go Over N/A points