L.A. vs Brooklyn NBA Hoops Handicapping
Doc Rivers will have somewhat of a reunion on Thursday when his Clippers arrive in Brooklyn to visit Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and the Nets. [ad-4468020]
Date/Time: 8 PM ET, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, New York
Broadcast: TNT
Spread: LA -1.5
Over/Under: 197
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The Clippers had just one day of rest for their road-weary legs before playing Boston on Wednesday, and were 2-2 during their marathon seven-game road trip after a 94-83 win at Philadelphia on Monday, in a game that saw LA continue to fight its battles shorthanded, as guards J.J. Redick and Reggie Bullock, along with forward Matt Barnes remained sidelined.
Los Angles’ depleted roster has prompted it to sign veteran forward Stephen Jackson, who could give the team a boost on the perimeter.
The Clippers entered Tuesday ranked tied for 24th in the NBA in 3-point shooting (32.8 percent) and were just 5-for-27 against the 76ers.
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Meanwhile, center DeAndre Jordan has three straight double-doubles and is averaging 14.2 rebounds on the road.
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The Clippers will hope that they can us that to their advantage as they try to contain a surging Nets team that is riding a two-game win streak after a 104-96 win over Boston last time out.
Brooklyn got a jolt as Deron Williams returned from a nine-game layoff to produce 25 points and seven assists and Brook Lopez scored 24 points the Nets topped Boston.
Former Celtic Garnett had 11 points to go with nine rebounds and Pierce chipped in four points and seven boards against his former team, where he spent 15 seasons.
Defensively, the Nets stonewalled the Celtics while the bench chimed in, led by forward Andray Blatche, with 11 points and nine rebounds.
Matt’s Prediction:
Brooklyn looks good as of late, but has only strung consecutive wins together for the first time this season.
In the meantime, the Clippers seemed to have found the right stroke in defending the better teams in the league on the perimeter, while adding a piece to its own outside game.
They have also held seven of their last 10 opponents to 42 percent shooting or worse as Philadelphia managed only 35.9 percent from the field.
If Los Angeles can find the energy and use its deep bench to its advantage to compete in back-to -back contests, they should be able to celebrate River’s sort-of-reunion with a big win in the Bronx.
Clippers 102, Nets 91
