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The in form LA Clippers will take on an improving Memphis Grizzlies side on Tuesday night, in what will be the first match of 2018 for both teams.
The Clippers (16-19, 9-7 home) have won 5 of their last 6 games, including 3 in a row, and are ready to make a run to get back into playoff contention – especially as they recently got back their star player Blake Griffin. The Clippers already started to look good once Teodosic returned from injury a month ago, and now with Griffin in the lineup they are definitely a playoff caliber team, even though Beverley and Gallinari, regular starters, are still on the sidelines.
The Grizzlies (12-25, 5-13 away) went trough some tough times this season, losing their star man Mike Conley with injury and firing coach David Fizdale, which was a strange decision. Memphis lost 19 out of 21 games in November – December, but recently they started improving, and have now won 3 of their last 5 games.
Bet on Clippers v Grizzlies and claim your 100% (100 Eur) freebet at Ohmbet now!Team news: Rivers is slightly questionable for the Clippers but he is expected to return after missing the last game. Beverley and Gallinari continue to miss out for LA. Memphis will again be without their star player Conley, while Parsons is highly questionable.
Memphis actually managed to stop their horrible run of 19 losses in 21 games a couple of weeks ago against this same Clippers team. However, that game was in Memphis, the Clippers didn`t have Blake Griffin, and Memphis still only won by 3 points.
Credit for Memphis for making a slight turnaround in their fortunes and winning 3 of their last 5, but fact is they beat a shorthanded Clippers side, the Lakers and the Kings – hardly impressive victories.
For some reason the Clippers have been massively underrated lately, and the trend continues ahead of this clash with the Grizzlies, as the 5 point spread set in LA`s favor looks rather low to me. The Clippers have covered the handicap in 10 of their last 12 games, so them being underrated by the bookies is a fact, not an opinion.
The Clippers know they need to make a push if they are to reach the playoffs and get a good seeding, after they had a poor start due to a plethora of injuries. They really can`t afford to lose accessible home games like these. Expect full focus and intensity from the hosts, which is a nice assurance to have in a game played one day after the New Year.
LA is clearly the better side here, and playing at home they should have enough to claim a double digit win, at least in my estimation. I`m backing the Clippers again, and my tip will be LA to cover the 5 point (asian) handicap. Prediction: LA Clippers – Memphis Grizzlies 116 – 102.
Pick: Clippers -5
Odds: 1.95 @ Sbobet
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 7.60
Event date: 3 January
