The Washington Wizards aim to topple the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday evening in the nation's capital. The Wizards (13-20) are playing improved basketball as the first half of the 2020-21 NBA season comes to an end, posting a 7-3 record in the last 10 games. Washington did drop a recent game to L.A., however, losing by a 135-116 margin in late February. The Clippers are 24-13 this season, even while losing three of the last four overall. Kawhi Leonard (back) is questionable for L.A., with Marcus Morris (concussion) listed as doubtful.
Tip-off is schedule for 7 p.m. ET. The latest Clippers vs. Wizards odds from William Hill Sportsbook list Los Angeles as a 5.5-point favorite. The over-under for total points expected is set for 236. Before making any Wizards vs. Clippers picks, be sure to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times, and it returned over $5,000 in profit on its top-rated NBA picks last season. The model is also up nearly $8,500 on top-rated NBA picks over the past two-plus seasons. Dating back to last season, it enters Week 11 of the 2020-21 NBA schedule on a stunning 85-52 roll on top-rated NBA picks against the spread. Anybody who has followed it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Clippers vs. Wizards. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting trends for Wizards vs. Clippers:
- Clippers vs. Wizards spread: Clippers -5.5
- Clippers vs. Wizards over-under: 236 points
- Clippers vs. Wizards money line: Clippers -215, Wizards +185
- LAC: The Clippers are 5-5 against the spread in the last 10 games
- WASH: The Wizards are 8-2 against the spread in the last 10 games
Why the Clippers can cover
L.A. is an elite offensive team, scoring 116.9 points per 100 possessions this season. The Clippers are No. 2 in the NBA in true shooting percentage (60.3 percent), based heavily on No. 1 marks in 3-point accuracy (41.8 percent) and free throw accuracy (84.0 percent). L.A. is also a top-10 team in protecting the ball, committing a turnover on only 13.4 percent of possessions, and the Clippers are the best in the league at avoiding shot blockers, having an attempt rejected only 3.4 times per game.
Tyronn Lue's team can also take solace in Washington's porous defense, with the Wizards ranking in the bottom five of the league in overall defensive efficiency and free throw rate allowed. Defensively, the Clippers are very strong on the glass, grabbing 75.0 percent of missed shots from their opponents, and they rank in the top eight in both free throw rate allowed and second-chance points allowed.
Why the Wizards can cover
Washington is led by a productive, star-driven backcourt. Bradley Beal leads the NBA in scoring, averaging 32.9 points per game, and he is a proven, high-volume shot creator. Russell Westbrook is averaging 20.0 points, 9.8 rebounds and 9.8 assists per game, contributing in multiple facets. In addition, Washington is No. 2 in the NBA in free throw creation rate, and the Wizards protect the ball at an above-average level, committing a turnover on only 13.7 percent of offensive possessions.
Defensively, the Wizards will have their hands full in this matchup, but they are very strong in transition. Washington allows only 10.7 fast break points per game, No. 4 in the NBA, and they are a top-eight team in allowing only 45.4 points per game in the paint. The Wizards also create turnovers at an above-average level, which can lead to easy buckets in transition offensively.
How to make Wizards vs. Clippers picks
SportsLine's model is leaning over on the total, projecting both teams to combine for 246 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits almost 70 percent of the time. You can get that pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Wizards vs. Clippers? And which side of the spread hits almost 70 percent of the time? Visit SportsLine now to find out which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that on an 85-52 roll on NBA picks.
