The Los Angeles Clippers have lost each of their last three games and will now be eager to earn a win over the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. A lot has been made about the start Sacramento has gotten off to, as the team did fire Luke Walton early in the year. However, the Kings are still very much in the playoff picture in the Western Conference.
Will Sacramento come away with a big victory over Los Angeles in this one? Continue reading our Clippers vs. Kings NBA picks and predictions to find out.
Clippers vs Kings odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
The Clippers opened this one as 6-point road favorites, and almost every single book now has the Kings as 5.5-point underdogs. That’s despite a majority of bettors seemingly being on Los Angeles here. The total, which opened at 219.5, is either 219 or 219.5 across all books.
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.
Clippers vs Kings predictions
Predictions made on 12/22/2021 at 12:30 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Clippers vs Kings game info
• Location: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
• Date: Wednesday, December 22, 2021
• Tip-off: 10:00 p.m. ET
• TV: NBA TV
Clippers vs Kings betting preview
Injuries
Clippers: Marcus Morris F (Out), Isaiah Hartenstein C (Out), Kawhi Leonard F (Out).
Kings: De’Aaron Fox G (Out), lex Len C (Out), Davion Mitchell G (Out), Marvin Bagley III F (Out), Terence Davis G (Out), Richaun Holmes C (Questionable).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Clippers are 1-8 against the spread in their last nine games as favorites. Find more NBA betting trends for Clippers vs. Kings.
Clippers vs Kings 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
Not only are the Clippers just 1-8 against the spread in their last nine games as favorites, but Los Angeles is also a miserable 0-8 against the spread when revenging a straight up loss in which the team was favored this year. On top of that, the Clippers are also 4-12 against the spread when favored by 3.5 to 9.5 points this season, and the average score in those games had L.A. losing by an average of 2.2 points per game.
Paul George is definitely going to be the best player on the court in this game, but Harrison Barnes should be able to do a solid job of making sure that Sacramento isn’t completely outplayed on the wing. Barnes is a very good two-way player and should handle that assignment defensively. George will likely get the better of it, but Barnes should be able to limit the damage.
Meanwhile, even with De’Aaron Fox and Davion Mitchell out, an argument can be made that the Kings still have the edge in the backcourt here. Haliburton is an excellent young guard, with the ability to shoot and make plays for others. He will definitely enjoy playing more point guard in this one, and Hield will be the same. The sharpshooter should be the focal point of the offense in this game, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he goes off in this one.
Also, it appears that Holmes will be able to return for Sacramento in this game. He’s an absolute load in the paint, and he has the strength to really dominate around the basket here. His energy should also get the crowd involved in what should be a fun game for fans to watch.
Prediction: Kings +5.5 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
Sacramento’s backcourt of Haliburton and Hield might not be much of a drop-off compared to what the team usually has out there, but there’s no denying that the Kings are losing a little bit defensively in this game. Mitchell is one of the best on-ball perimeter defenders in the league, and both Haliburton and Hield struggle to defend quicker guards. With that in mind, the Clippers should be able to score a decent number of points in this one.
The reality is that the Kings are going to simply try to outscore the Clippers in a shootout in this one, and this game should be played at a relatively high pace. Two of Los Angeles’ last three games have gone Over the total coming into this one, and it’s just hard to imagine this one not being something of a shootout.
Prediction: Over 219 (-110)
Best bet
Not only are the Kings a good bet on the spread tonight, but it actually wouldn’t be surprising if they won this one outright. Sure, Sacramento is dealing with Fox and Mitchell being out of the lineup, but the team still has Haliburton and Hield in the lineup. That’s still a very good NBA backcourt, and a case can be made that a guy like Haliburton is deserving of more on-ball reps to begin with.
Not only does Sacramento still have enough talent in the lineup to pull this one out, but the Kings are also 2-0 both straight up and against the spread versus the Clippers this season. They’ve now won and covered in three games in a row against Los Angeles, if you count the 113-110 victory for Sacramento back on February 7.
Pick: Kings +5.5 (-110)
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