The Los Angeles Clippers will host the San Antonio Spurs on Thursday night at the Staples Center. This game will feature two of the top teams in the Western Conference, and both teams are much improved this season. Los Angeles is one of the top scoring teams in the NBA, while the Spurs are winning games with their defense.
The Clippers come into this game with an 8-5 record and sit in second place in the Pacific Division. They have picked up two impressive wins in their last two games, knocking off the Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors. San Antonio enters play on Wednesday night with a 7-5 record and are in first place of the Southwest division. The Spurs are in Phoenix to take on the Suns before traveling to LA. The Clippers are a 4.5 point favorite over the Spurs in this game.
Harris Leading Good Clippers Offense
The Los Angeles Clippers have been terrific on offense this season, and Tobias Harris is a big reason why. Los Angeles is putting up 166.6 points per game this season, which is the 5th best scoring average in the NBA. Tobias Harris leads the team with 20.4 points and 8.8 rebounds per game, and is emerging into an NBA star. Shooting guard Lou Williams has come off of the bench to pour in 19 points per game in support of Harris.
Los Angeles will need to fix their defense if they are going to continue their ascent to the top of the Western Conference. The Clippers are giving up 112 points per game this season, and their offense has been forced to bail them out. Doc Rivers’ squad has limited opponents to under 10 three point field goal made per game, which was a big reason for their win over the Golden State Warriors.
DeRozan Thriving in San Antonio
The Spurs have a new sheriff in town, and his name is DeMar DeRozan. DeRozan was traded to San Antonio in the offseason in a deal that sent Kawhi Leonard to the Toronto Raptors. The shooting guard leads the team with 25.0 points, 6.6 assists, and 1.1 steals per game this season, and is keeping the Spurs near the top of the Western Conference. Center LaMarcus Aldridge has chipped in with 18.9 points and 10.5 rebounds per game this season.
Meanwhile, Gregg Popovich still has his team playing terrific defense on that end of the floor. The Spurs have allowed just 107.6 points per game so far this season, despite losing their best defensive player in Leonard. DeRozan and Aldridge have also been solid on the defensive end of the floor, but the entire team has been locked in.
Clippers Stay Hot
Playing back to back games in the NBA is always a tough proposition, and the Spurs won’t have an easy time in this game. Playing the Clippers will test a tired Spurs team, and their lack of balanced offense could hurt them in this game. Los Angeles has beaten two of the top NBA teams in their last two games, and they are on a roll. Look for Harris and Williams to lead the Los Angeles offense to another win. Bet the Clippers -4.5 over the Spurs in this game.
