Betsided

Clippers vs. Nets Prediction and Odds (The Total Keeps Rising in Brooklyn)

By Ben Heisler

Nets stars Kevin Durant and James Harden will look to rebound from a Thursday night home loss to the 76ers tonight vs. the Clippers.
Nets stars Kevin Durant and James Harden will look to rebound from a Thursday night home loss to the 76ers tonight vs. the Clippers. / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
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Fresh off a surprising Thursday night home upset by the Philadelphia 76ers, the Brooklyn Nets look to start off the new year on the right side when they host the Los Angeles Clippers at Barclays Center.

Brooklyn is almost completely recovered from having the bulk of their roster enter the NBA's health and safety protocols for COVID-19, while Los Angeles has three players in the protocol; including head coach Tyronn Lue for the second consecutive game.

L.A. is at 18-18 on the season, hanging on to the No. 6 seed in the West. Meanwhile, Brooklyn has fallen into a tie with Chicago for the best record in the East at 23-10

Here are the latest odds for tonight's matchup at WynnBET Sportsbook:

Clippers vs. Nets Odds, Spread and Total

Spread:

  • Clippers +12.5 (-110)
  • Nets -12.5 (-110)

Moneyline:

  • Clippers: +575
  • Nets: -850

Total:

  • 219 (Over -110/Under -110)

Clippers vs. Nets Prediction and Pick

I'm expecting a bounce-back performance from Brooklyn after a surprising 110-102 loss to the Sixers Thursday, but 12.5-points is a fairly high number regardless of the Clippers missing their head coach and Paul George; out with a torn ligament in his elbow.

Instead, I'll focus on the total, where there's been a massive move towards the over from where it opened at 214 consensus up to 219. Personally, I still feel like that number is a tad too low considering the firepower of a healthy Brooklyn roster that plays at the 8th fastest pace in the league.

The Clippers, despite not having Paul George are still a top-15 tempo team in the league. They're technically fourth in the league in defensive rating, but after watching this team play the last handful of games, their defense comes and goes, usually against slower paced teams.

I'll back both teams to push tempo to kick things started in the new year.

PICK: OVER 219 (-110) - would bet to 220

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