NBA Betting Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Clippers

Added on Dec 20, 2010 by Jack Thurman in

NBA

A couple of the Western Conference’s bottom feeders go at it on Monday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves head to the Staples Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers. Clippers are 7-21 and in 4th place in the Pacific ahead of the hapless Sacramento Kings. Minnesota is 6-22 and in last place in the brutal Northwest Division.

Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Clippers
December 20, 2010 7:35 PM Pacific

We’ve used this Timberwolves team on a few occasions this year and with good reason–they’ve got a ton of young talent including Kevin Love and Michael Beasley. We’d much rather use them as a big dog against a superior team–they’re easy to overlook but have enough talent to give trouble to an unfocused opponent. Classic example–their current three game pointspread winning streak despite three SU losses at Phoenix, Portland and Denver. Having said that, we’re looking to play on a LA Clippers team that also has great talent including future superstars Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon. As far as the Clips becoming a legit contender we’ll believe it when we see it but they’ve definitely got a ridiculous amount of talent throughout the lineup.

Clippers’ biggest problem is matching up with teams that play sound team defense, but against opponents that’ll play uptempo with them they can be a handful. Against teams allowing more than 99 PPG they’re 10-4 ATS, though against teams allowing *fewer* than 99 PPG they’re 4-10 ATS. Minnesota is tied for dead last in team defense allowing 109.9 PPG–or 8.7 more per game than the Clippers. Clips are off back to back blowout wins on the road against Detroit and Chicago–LA 4-0 ATS this year off a SU victory as an underdog. With veteran pointguard Baron Davis back in the lineup Clips have better ball movement and that’s likely enough to get the job done here. With the T-Wolves at the end of a tough road trip and off 3 big efforts against superior competition they could be flat here.

Bet Los Angeles Clippers -3′ over Minnesota Timberwolves