NBA Picks: Los Angeles Clippers at New York Knicks
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The New York Knicks are set to host the Los Angeles Clippers in what figures to be an entertaining rematch. New York won the first meeting 124-115 at Los Angeles, thanks to 39 points and 11 rebounds from Amare Stoudemire.
Our NBA spreads for this game have the Knicks favored by 7-points over the Clippers with the total set at 215.5.
The Clippers will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak, after falling at Orlando 101-85. Los Angeles is now 0-3 on their ridiculous 11 game road trip.
The Knicks were able to split a home-and-home set with the 76ers by beating Philadelphia 117-103 on Sunday. New York is trying to get back on track, as they are just 4-9 in their last 13 games.
Looking for a great place to do your NBA betting this season? Sports Interaction is offering a special 100% match bonus on up to $200!
While Stoudemire and the Knicks got the win in the first matchup, Blake Griffin stole the show with his 44 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. Griffin however is missing Eric Gordon on the outside, who had 25 points against New York. The Clippers are just 2-6 since Gordon got injured on Jan. 22.
In the Clippers last game against the Magic, Griffin had just 10 points to go along with 12 rebounds. Baron Davis picked up the slack with 25 points, eight assists, and eight rebounds, while Ike Diogu came off the bench to score 18 points in 22 minutes. Still the Clippers are going to really struggle to win if Griffin doesn’t have a big game offensively, as they just don’t have the fire-power without Gordon in the lineup.
The Clippers biggest problem will be finding a way to stop Stoudemire, who had 41 points in the Knicks last game against the 76ers. New York also got 25 points from Landry Field, and 13 points and 13 assists from Raymond Felton.
Danilo Galinari had just 10 points against Philadelphia, but the last time he played the Clippers he went off for a season-high 31 points, and it seems like when he has it going, the Knicks play at a different level.
The problem for the Knicks has been their inability to get the job done on the defensive side of the ball. New York has allowed at least 100 points in 11 of their last 13 games.
I think that poor effort on the defensive side of the ball, is going to allow the Clippers to really make a game of it, and I think you have to take the 7-points. The Clippers have lost four straight, but those games were against Chicago, Atlanta, Miami, and Orlando. Take the points in this one!
For more help with who to take in the NBA, check out our NBA free picks section, or take a look at what our expert NBA handicappers have to offer in their daily NBA picks.
Got something to say?