Los Angeles Clippers vs. San Antonio Spurs: 3 Best Bets

The San Antonio Spurs host the Los Angeles Clippers tonight, hoping for a much better outcome than the 40-point loss they suffered when the two teams met earlier in the season. That game was before the Clippers found a (worse) identity with James Harden at the helm of the offense.

Since that game, the Spurs are 2-8. The Clippers haven’t fared much better, stepping out to a 2-6 record in that time.

The Spurs will most likely be without Devin Vassell, and the Clippers have already ruled out Mason Plumlee and Brandon Boston Jr. Russell Westbrook is expected to come off the bench after requesting a different role.

The Spurs enter this game with a lot of doubt and a lot to prove. They have not won a game since November 2nd, and the Clippers are heavily favored in this game by SI Sportsbook. With that, let’s get to the picks.

The Lines

Point spread: Clippers -8.5 (-110)/Spurs +8.5 (-118)

Moneyline: Clippers (-376)/Spurs (+270)

Over/under: 230.5

Our Picks

Points pick: Keldon Johnson OVER 17.5 points (-118)

Since Devin Vassell hit the bench, Keldon Johnson has been on a tear. He is yet to score under 20 points and is shooting 46 percent from deep. Vassell is listed as doubtful, so double-check the injury report before placing this bet, if you decide to follow my advice (which you really should!). Even if Vassell plays, this line is rather low, probably because he only scored five points in his previous matchup with the Clippers.

Passing pick: Zach Collins OVER 3.5 assists (-167)

In lieu of Tre Jones recently, Zach Collins has emerged as one of the team’s best passers. In the last four-game stretch, he is averaging exactly 3.5 assists, but a one-dime outing against the Thunder tarnishes those numbers. In the recent loss to the Kings, Collins found Victor Wembanyama for multiple assists, including a lob. Becoming more pass-friendly, especially on entry passes, bodes well for both Collins and the team, and with the Clippers opening up the paint a little bit recently, Collins should find his partner in crime down low.

Shooting pick: Victor Wembanyama OVER 1.5 threes made (-175)

Wembanyama has been eager to shoot the ball recently, and even though he’s only made 23 percent of them in the last four games, he has no issue pulling the trigger, even when he’s cold. Since he’s the star on a bad team, no one is going to tell him not to shoot, which means plenty of shots will go up. It’s only a matter of time before he hits the two needed for this bet to hit, making it easy money.

Why Spurs' Keldon Johnson is 'Proud' of Jeremy Sochan

In reality, an 8.5-point spread seems generous for the Spurs. The Clippers have started to figure things out, and the Spurs are way too young to compete. If you’re a fan of the Silver and Black, enjoy individual performances tonight. The team as a whole might not give you much.