NBA Predictions: Will Griffin Lead Pistons to Win over Clippers? 2/9/18
Will Blake Griffin lead his new team to victory over his old team? The Pistons will host the Clippers at 7:00 p.m. ET on Friday night.
The Odds: Clippers at Pistons, 7:00 p.m. ET, Friday
According to oddsmakers, Detroit is a 3.5-point home favorite for tonight’s game. The Pistons opened as 2.5-point favorites but the line has climbed a full point. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 215.5 but is up to 216.5.
The Clippers enter play with a 27-25 record on the year and are 11-13 on the road. The Pistons, meanwhile, are 27-26 overall and 18-10 at home. From a betting standpoint, Los Angeles is 28-23 against the spread and 14-9 ATS on the road. Detroit is 26-25 at the betting window and just 12-15 ATS at home.
As of this writing, 82% of the betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Pistons to cover the spread. Meanwhile, 63% of the betting tickets are on the over.
Los Angeles Clippers Injury Report
Austin Rivers (ankle) is questionable to play tonight, as is Milos Teodosic (foot). Patrick Beverley is out for the year with a knee injury.
Detroit Pistons Injury Report
The Pistons will once again be without key starter Reggie Jackson, who is out with an ankle injury. James Ennis III (acquired) is questionable while Jon Leuer (ankle) is out for the season.
Our Prediction
A lot of public bettors will buy into the Griffin narrative tonight and lay the points with Detroit. But I see a lot of value in taking L.A. at the betting window.
The Clippers are 6-1-1 against the spread in their last eight road games. They’re also 8-2 against the number in their last 10 games versus Eastern Conference opponents. Finally, they’re 19-9-1 at the betting window in their last 29 games overall.
On the other side, the Pistons are just 2-8 against the spread in their last 10 home games, are 2-8 against the number in their last 10 games overall, and are 2-5 at the betting window in their last seven games playing on only one day of rest. Take the points.
NBA Friday Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers +3.5