The Toronto Raptors will host the Los Angeles Clippers at the Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Tuesday night. It’s time to continue our NBA odds series and make a Clippers-Raptors prediction and pick.
This will be the second and final meeting between these two teams this season. The Clippers defeated the Raptors by five points earlier this month in the first affair. Los Angeles has been reeling of late and will look to get back on track against a Toronto group that has lost seven of their last 10 games coming in.
Here’s how sportsbooks have set the opening Clippers-Raptors odds.
NBA Odds: Clippers-Raptors Odds
Los Angeles Clippers -12.5 (-115)
Toronto Raptors +12.5 (-105)
Over 218 Points (-105)
Under 218 Points (-115)
Why The Clippers Could Cover The Spread
The Los Angeles Clippers are currently the third seed in the Western Conference and hold a slim one-game lead over the fourth-seeded Denver Nuggets in the standings. The Clippers have arguably the easiest remaining schedule in the conference with the Raptors, Charlotte Hornets, Houston Rockets, and Oklahoma City Thunder up next for them. Although surpassing the Phoenix Suns seems unlikely, Los Angeles can certainly use these last four games to solidify the third spot in the Conference.
The Clippers have lost four of their last six games and can certainly use these last four to right their wrongs with the postseason just around the corner. A few guys including Kawhi are banged up right now, but know that aches and bruises are inevitable at this point in the season. Playing through them will be the key to prosperity come playoff time.
The Clippers offensive unit has struggled over the past six games and it will be up to the fifth-ranked defense to pick up the slack down the stretch. They have a clear advantage over Toronto on that end and will look to smother the Raptors in this battle.
Why The Raptors Could Cover The Spread
The Toronto Raptors have been officially eliminated from playoff contention in 2021. With their sights shifted entirely to next season, the Raptors will use these last handful of games to see what they have in some of their young guns. A season that was destroyed by the wrath of COVID-19 will ultimately be looked at as a failure by the Toronto faithful.
The Raptors will be sitting Siakam, Anunoby, VanVleet, Lowry, and possibly more in this matchup with the Clippers. The Raptors losing this game is inevitable. The question we have to answer is more so about the margin of defeat. With their five-point loss to the Clippers last week, it seems that the Raptors match up well. Toronto is 11-4 ATS in their last 15 home games against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Final Clippers-Raptors Prediction & Pick
The Toronto Raptors have the seventh-best odds of receiving the number one pick in next year's draft. The Los Angeles Clippers are playing for the third-seed in the Western Conference standings. The disparity couldn't be more clear. With the Raptors playing their C-squad, Los Angeles should have no problem taking care of business on the road. The Clippers' offense will bounce back and the defense will absolutely smother the young Raptors squad in this game.
FINAL PICK: Los Angeles Clippers -12.5 (-115)
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