San Antonio vs LAC NBA Hoops Handicapping
After making a brief appearance in Sunday’s All-Star Game, point guard Tony Parker returns to the San Antonio line up, and is expected to play against the Clippers in Los Angeles on Tuesday. [ad-4468020]
Date/Time: 10:30PM ET, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2014
Venue:Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
Broadcast: NBA-TV
Spread: -5 Clippers
Over/Under: 211
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The Spurs (38-15) have carried on through a rash of injuries, and are 4-2 during their nine-game rodeo trip, which has given them the second-best record in the Western Conference.
And although Parker is back after missing San Antonio’s final game prior to the all-star break, the team will still likely be without center Tiago Splitter for the fourth straight game, along with guard Manu Ginobili and forward Kawhi Leonard who will also remain sidelined.
That means the Spurs will have to rely on players like Nando de Colo, Cory Joseph and Patty Mills if they want to beat the Clippers, who routed them 115-92 at home back on Dec. 16.
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Los Angeles and San Antonio have yet to play a close contest against one another this season, after the Spurs cruised to an easy victory when they returned the favor, upending the Clippers 116-92, at home on Jan. 4.
With that win, the teams have split the last six regular-season meetings.
But, the Clippers (37-18) are entering this matchup red hot, and sporting the conference’s fourth-best mark after receiving outstanding play from all-star power forward Blake Griffin, who has help guide LA to three straight wins.
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Griffin scored 20 or more points in 13 consecutive games prior to the break, stepping up his scoring production by averaging a career-best 24.2 points, when point guard Chris Paul was sidelined with a shoulder injury.
But Blake hasn’t been the only factor in LA’s mid season surge. Paul returned from his injury to play in the final two games before the all-star game, scoring 20 points, while dishing out 12 assists in last Wednesday’s victory over the Portland Trail Blazers.
Both Griffin and Paul have done well expanding their games this year and are showing no signs of slowing..
Matt’s Prediction
The Clippers will be without the services of guard J.J. Redick, who will miss his fifth consecutive contest with a hip injury,
However, with Griffin peaking, and averaging 23 points in the two games against San Antonio this season, I expect that he and Paul can help lift LA to a big win over an injury-riddled Spurs in this one.
Clippers 109, Spurs 97
