The Los Angeles Clippers are 7-0 straight up and 6-1 against the spread over their last seven games. The Clippers hope to extend their winning streak this Thursday night at home against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Timberwolves vs. Clippers 2017 odds: Streaking Los Angeles small chalk hosting Minnesota
The Los Angeles Clippers will try to stay hot this Thursday night despite missing guard Chris Paul as they host the Minnesota Timberwolves as small favorites.
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Los Angeles is a 2.5-point home favorite at Staples Center at sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark.com. In their last 11 games at home, the Clippers are 9-2 SU and 8-3 ATS.
Coming off an 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS slump, the Clippers have been looking like a legitimate contender again over their last seven games. But a 120-98 win over Oklahoma City was overshadowed by the news that Chris Paul would be out for six to eight weeks with a thumb injury.
Los Angeles’ thin bench will be put to the test over the next few weeks with both Blake Griffin and Paul sidelined due to injuries.
The Clippers have fared well as small favorites recently. Over its last 21 games as a favorite of five points or less, Los Angeles is 16-5 SU and 15-6 ATS per the OddsShark NBA Database.
Betting Line / Total: Los Angeles -2.5 / 201 Points
Trend: The Clippers are 6-1 ATS over their last seven games.
Trend: The Timberwolves are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games as an underdog.
Minnesota has been playing well of late, posting a 3-3 SU and 5-1 ATS record over its last six games and a 13-6 ATS record over its last 19. The Timberwolves’ young core of Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine have all played well this season and are each averaging over 20 points per game.
While the team’s top stars are strong, a lack of depth behind them and inconsistent play all around has led to a 14-28 SU record through the first half of the season. Minnesota is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games as an underdog.
Thursday’s total is set at 201 points. The UNDER is 10-3 in Los Angeles’s last 13 games overall.
With Paul out, this game becomes a whole lot more competitive on paper. The battle between two of the league’s best big men should be a fun one to watch as Towns will clash with DeAndre Jordan. The Clippers will likely try to lean heavily on a strong defensive effort on Thursday with their top two scorers out of action.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Clippers
When: Thursday, January 19, 10:30 p.m. ET
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
