Clippers vs. Spurs prediction and odds for Friday, January 20 (Clips’ defense will be key)

The Los Angeles Clippers are in an awful stretch right now, losers eight of their last 10 games to drop to No. 8 in the Western Conference.

Los Angeles will aim to get back on track on Friday against the San Antonio Spurs, who have the worst net rating in the NBA this season. The Spurs are down one of their better players in Devin Vassell while the Clippers will be without John Wall and Luke Kennard.

Both of these teams rank in the bottom 10 in the NBA in net rating, which is a major concern for the Clippers, who were expected to be contenders this season. However, the Spurs are in full rebuild mode, so the losses this season were expected.

Vegas has San Antonio set as a home underdog in this game, but can it cover for the 12th time this season in that spot?

Here’s a look at the latest odds and pick for this game:

Clippers vs. Spurs odds, spread and total

Clippers vs. Spurs prediction and pick

The Spurs come into this matchup 11-9 against the spread as home dogs, but they are losing those games by an average margin of 8.2 points.

As much as I don’t trust the Clippers with how they are playing right now, I’m going to lay the points with Los Angeles in this spot.

The Clips are .500 against the spread as road favorites in the 2022-23 season, and this is the definition of a “get right” spot for a team that has stumbled over the past two weeks.

The key advantage for Los Angeles comes on the defensive end, where the team ranks ninth in the league in defensive rating compared to the Spurs at No. 30.

I don’t think San Antonio will be able to handle Kawhi Leonard and Paul George for a full game, even at home.

It’s an ugly bet on either side with how these teams are playing, but give me the Clips to cover tonight.

Find Peter Dewey’s full betting record here.

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Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.