The Los Angeles Clippers play host to the Sacramento Kings at Staples Center Wednesday night with both teams looking to bounce back from blowout losses.
The Clippers got crushed by the Pelicans two nights ago but will have a rest advantage in this matchup, with the Kings having played the Lakers last night. Sacramento fell victim to a 40-8 second-half run, eventually falling 117-92.
Can the Clippers take advantage and get back on track? Keep reading our free NBA betting picks and predictions for Kings vs. Clippers to find out.
Kings vs Clippers odds
Odds via the Covers Line, an average comprised of odds from multiple sportsbooks.
The Clippers opened as 7.5-point favorites, but have been bet up to 8-point favorites in some places. The total opened at 218.5 but has shifted down to 216.5 after some action on the Under.
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.
Kings vs Clippers predictions
Predictions made on 12/01/2021 at 1:00 p.m. ET.
Click on each prediction to jump to the full analysis.
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Kings vs Clippers game info
• Location: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA
• Date: Wednesday, December 1, 2021
• Tip-off: 10:30 p.m. ET
• TV: BSSC, NBCSCA
Kings vs Clippers betting preview
Injuries
Kings: Marvin Bagley III F (Questionable), Harrison Barnes F (Questionable), Maurice Harkless F (Questionable).
Clippers: Nicolas Batum F (Out), Kawhi Leonard F (Out).
Find our latest NBA injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Under is 5-1 in the Kings' last six games on the second night of a back-to-back. Find more NBA betting trends for Kings vs. Clippers.
Kings 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
The Clippers started November by winning eight of nine games, five of which came by double digits. They've since lost five of seven, including maybe their worst loss of the season: a 123-104 home stomping by way of the New Orleans Pelicans. They rank 26th in offensive rating and have to rely on Paul George and Reggie Jackson for much of their scoring with no Kawhi Leonard in the fold.
Fortunately for the Clippers, the Kings rank 28th in defensive rating and present a golden opportunity for Paul George & Co. to get right offensively. Sacramento is horrific by almost every defensive metric you can find: it ranks dead last in second-chance points allowed and points allowed in the paint and is Bottom 10 in points allowed per game, defensive rebounding, as well as points allowed off turnovers.
On the other side of the ball, the Kings are solid, but will most likely be without their second-leading scorer, Harrison Barnes, for the fourth straight game. They're also running into a Clippers team that ranks third in the NBA in defensive rating and is adept at forcing turnovers and is strong on the perimeter with guys like George and Eric Bledsoe, who will presumably be glued to De'Aaron Fox for most of the night.
This is all compounded by the fact the Kings played (and got blown out) last night and will be playing on the road on the second night of a back-to-back (albeit still in California). Expect the Clippers to come out with energy early and it will be hard for the Kings to keep up, especially if Barnes doesn't play.
Seven of the Kings' last eight losses have come by eight or more points and I expect that trend to continue tonight. Lay the points with the Clippers at home.
Prediction: Clippers -8 (-110)
Over/Under analysis
The total in this game sits at 216.5. The Kings' offense has been good this year, but all signs in this game point to an Under. They'll likely be without Barnes, one of their most reliable scorers, they're up against a Top-3 defense in the Clippers, and are playing on the second night of a back-to-back on the road.
Yes, the Kings' defense is atrocious but the Clippers rarely light it up, having only scored 115 or more in five of their 21 games this season.
The trends support the Under as well. The Under is 5-1 on the second night of Kings' back-to-backs, 5-1 following a Kings loss of 10 or more points, and 5-1 in the Clippers' last six games following an ATS loss.
Expect the Clippers' defense to bounce back from the Pelicans loss and keep this game Under the number.
Prediction: Under 216.5 (-110)
Best bet
The Clippers have been an up and down team this year, but this play is as much of a fade of the Kings as it is a backing of the Clippers.
When the Kings lose, they often get blown out, and I expect the Clippers to play inspired basketball at home after the Pelicans blowout loss two nights ago. Give me Clippers -8 as my best bet.
Pick: Clippers -8 (-110)
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