Clippers vs Kings prediction
My best bet: Over 226.5
My analysis
The Sacramento offense has sputtered at times this season, but Sacramento has gotten some stellar scoring from DeMar DeRozan, Domantas Sabonis, and especially Zach LaVine.
The team is starting to hum on that end of the court heading into Friday’s home showdown with the Los Angeles
Los Angeles has long been heralded for its tremendous defense, but like Sacramento, it has started to pick up steam with the playoffs just around the corner.
Kawhi Leonard looks like the top-tier scorer he was in Toronto, James Harden is getting it done with points and dimes, and Norm Powell and Ivica Zubac are enjoying career years.
Over the last 10 games, Los Angeles ranks third in offensive rating at a healthy 121.8. Sacramento sits 17th at 115.8.
In that span, the Clippers have posted 119.6 points per game, while the Kings have scored 112.7.
Average performances from both teams will comfortably clear the Over.
On the season, the Clippers have hit the Over in 39 of 80 games, but they’ve hit the Over in three straight games and six of the last 10.
The Kings have gone Over in three of their last four and have hit that mark in 44 of 80 games this season.
Season-long trends favor a high-scoring game. The Clippers are 25-21-1 to the Over as favorites and 12-7 to the Over as road favorites.
The Kings have hit the Over in nine of 14 against Pacific Division opponents and in seven of nine as the home underdog.
The Kings can finish no better than the No. 9 seed, but they’ll still be motivated to win this one to keep that seed and avoid falling to No. 10.
Winning one against the Clippers after dropping three straight to them in the season series should add some extra incentive.
The Clippers are in the thick of the Western Conference playoff hunt, and each win is vital.
I expect both teams to play their best basketball tonight, and that should mean plenty of scoring in a matchup with no shortage of star power.
Over 226.5
Kawhi Leonard Over 35.5 points + rebounds + assists
Zach LaVine Over 22.5 points
Zach LaVine has been electric across his last four games, averaging 33 points and scoring 25 or more in each one.
In 30 games with Sacramento, he’s averaged exactly 22.5 points, hit the Over 11 times, and scored 22 or more 15 times.
LaVine scored 30 and 35 points in two matchups with the Clippers this season, and he should have no problem clearing this line tonight.
He’s on a roll, and there should be plenty of scoring opportunities in a high-scoring matchup.
Leonard has been on a tear as a scorer, rebounder, and facilitator, and I don’t expect him to slow down tonight in a crucial situation.
Leonard has scored at least 20 points in 13 straight games, and in that span, he’s averaged 36.6 PRA and hit the Over eight times.
That includes a 37.4 PRA average across his last five on the road in which he hit the Over three times.
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