Bucks vs Clippers Picks and Predictions: Powell, Covington Trade Sparks Upset Win

Los Angeles just pushed its chips in this week. The trade with the Blazers makes it clear the Clippers have no intentions of tanking their way out of the play-in this season, instead loading up for a playoff run this year and renewed contention next season with Kawhi Leonard back on the court.

Meanwhile, the Bucks are finally finding some health, though the second night of a back-to-back can always skew the rotation.

Here are our free NBA picks and predictions for the Bucks at the Clippers on February 6.

Bucks vs Clippers odds

This odds widget represents the best odds available for each betting market from regulated sportsbooks.

Before the Bucks had finished their Friday blowout of the Blazers, they opened as 5-point favorites at Los Angeles. That fell to -4.5 by sunrise and eventually settled at -3.5 late Sunday morning. The total went the opposite direction, opening as low as 226.5 before ticking upward to 228.

Use the live odds widget above to track any future line movements right until tip-off and be sure to check out the full NBA odds before betting to ensure you get the best number.

Bucks vs Clippers predictions

• Prediction: Clippers +3.5 (-110)
• Prediction: Under 228 (-110)
• Best bet: Clippers ML (+140)

Predictions made on 2/6/2022 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.

Bucks vs Clippers game info

• Location: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Sunday, February 6, 2022
• Tip-off: 9:00 p.m. ET
• TV: BSSC, BSWI

Bucks vs Clippers betting preview

Key injuries

Bucks: George Hill PG (Questionable), Brook Lopez C (Out).
Clippers: Ivica Zubac C (Questionable), Paul George SF (Out), Kawhi Leonard SF (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.

Betting trend to know

The Bucks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games playing on no rest, and they are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following an ATS win. Find more NBA betting trends for Bucks vs. Clippers.

Bucks vs Clippers picks and predictions

Our predictions are compiled from the analysis of the spread and total and are indications of where we are leaning for this game.
Our best bet is the play that we like the most for this game, which we would actually put some of our bankroll behind.

Spread analysis

A week ago, it could have been argued Los Angeles may try to sell at this month’s trade deadline. With Kawhi Leonard not expected back this season, the Clippers’ chances at a deep playoff run are slim, so this may represent a chance to obtain a long-term asset or two. Instead, Los Angeles procured a pair of plug-and-play wings in Robert Covington and Norm Powell. Both are expected to make their Hollywood debuts tonight.

Neither will know the entire playbook or have a thorough understanding of Ty Lue’s system, but neither will need one. Covington is a veteran that has been involved in two midseason trades before. In fact, in Covington’s two midseason debuts with new teams in the past, he averaged 13.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals in 35 minutes per game, combining for a +20 on the court. Those two teams not only won both games, but they won in a pick’em and as an outright underdog.

Powell may not have that track record, but he should be a similar instant impact contributor.

They replace Eric Bledsoe, whose poor shooting had increasingly cut into his playing time the last month, and Justise Winslow, who had appeared in only seven of Los Angeles’ last 16 games, going 0-for-6 from deep in his spare action.

This roster upgrade should prove particularly notable against the Bucks, given the need to match up against the likes of Khris Middleton, Jrue Holiday, Donte DiVincenzo, and Pat Connaughton.

Covington and Powell should help counter Milwaukee’s perimeter and that impact is not something bookmakers have had a chance to truly gauge just yet.

Prediction: Clippers +3.5 (-110)

Over/Under analysis

If our spread handicap is based on a pair of 3-and-D wings fitting in quickly, then that also speaks to the Under being the play tonight, particularly after this total moved up a few points. Furthermore, the things Covington and Powell will fall short on are the types of plays that usually produce buckets, such as inbounds and after-timeout schemes.

With the Bucks coming off a game last night, a slower pace may also be needed to spare their legs. Giannis Antetokounmpo may have played only 25 minutes — and Middleton with 24 and Holiday with 27 — but this Western road trip is still just getting started for Milwaukee, still needing to face the Lakers and the Suns in the next few days. Four games in six nights is not the most gruelling schedule design the NBA offers, but it is not an ideal one, and burning out in the front half of it could prove costly for the Bucks.

They are still in a tight race atop the Eastern Conference standings, tighter than the Clippers’ contention among the Western play-in ranks. Milwaukee will need to play tonight with an eye on the next couple of nights, as well, if it wants to come back from the later coast still in position for home-court advantage.

Prediction: Under 228 (-110)

Best bet

The Clippers have won five of their last seven games as underdogs, a stretch that goes back to Jan. 19. Among the fallen are quality opponents like the Nuggets, the 76ers, and the Heat, all of which were with Los Angeles on the road. This roster has long been capable of winning games it shouldn’t, probably part of why the organization decided to go in on this season rather than sell to bulk up for 2023 and 2024.

And the Bucks have lost two games in the last two weeks as bigger favorites than they are tonight, not yet completely in take-care-of-business mode, something that may elude Milwaukee until Brook Lopez is able to return to the court, hopefully yet this season.

In a late-game out West — arguably another factor in Los Angeles’ favor — with the favorite on the second night of a back-to-back to start a weeklong road trip, let’s jump on the chance for an upset sparked by the Clippers’ new pieces.

Pick: Pick (Odds)

Pages related to this topic