Knicks vs Clippers Picks and Predictions: Westbrook Lays More Bricks

Basketball fans are in for a treat this afternoon, as the Los Angeles Clippers face off against the New York Knicks in their second matchup of the season. In their first encounter, the Clippers took home the victory with a 112-99 score. Since then, both teams have gone through a lot of changes and ups and downs, making this game an interesting one to watch. 

The Clippers are looking to solidify their spot in the playoffs, while the Knicks are trying to improve their standing in the Eastern Conference. As always, bettors are looking for the best odds and betting options, and we're here to provide some insights into the top bets for this exciting game.

Find out your best options with our free NBA betting picks for the Knicks vs. Clippers on Saturday, March 11.

Knicks vs Clippers best odds

Knicks vs Clippers picks and predictions

There are several reasons why Russell Westbrook is likely to score less than 13.5 points this afternoon against the Knicks. First, Westbrook's performance has been declining in recent years; he‘s no longer the big-time star he once was. As a result, he’s become a role player who many view as a negative factor on a winning team. 

The Los Angeles Lakers have looked rejuvenated since Westbrook left, and the Clippers have struggled since he joined the roster. Westbrook has failed to reach Over 13.5 points in three of his last four games, clearly indicating that he’s struggling to find his niche on this underachieving Clippers team. This is due to a number of factors, including his declining efficiency, his role on the team, and the defensive strategies employed by opposing teams. Teams are daring Westbrook to shoot 3-pointers — he’s currently making just 29.5% of his attempts from beyond the arc. 

Finally, Westbrook will face tough defensive pressure from Immanuel Quickley, who is known for his strong defensive skills. The 23-year-old guard will not let Westbrook overpower him to the rim and will force him to take shots he typically doesn’t make. 

Between the clear funk he’s in and the effective defense he’s likely to face from the Knicks, I’m fading Westbrook’s points total Saturday. 

My best bet: Russell Westbrook Under 13.5 points (-115)

Knicks vs Clippers spread analysis

As of Saturday morning, the Clippers are 5-point favorites over the Knicks. With the Clippers at home and on a two-game winning streak, and the Knicks struggling of late without Jalen Brunson, the spread could be a challenging hurdle for this New York team to overcome.

It's important to note that while the Clippers have two superstar players in Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, their defense has not been as dominant as many would expect. With a 14th-ranked in defensive rating, the Clippers will need to step up their game to contain the Knicks' potent offense.

However, the absence of Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who is unlikely to play, will be a significant blow to the team. Brunson's impact on the team is significant, and without him, the Knicks will rely heavily on Quickley, who is coming off a disappointing 1-for-11 performance against the Kings. This lack of depth could further tilt the game in the Clippers' favor.

The magic number for this afternoon will be 112.5. Los Angeles is 22-9 ATS when scoring more than 112.5. Meanwhile, the Knicks are 28-6-1 ATS when holding opponents to fewer than 112.5. 

Knicks vs Clippers Over/Under analysis

The Over/Under for this afternoon's Knicks vs. Clippers game is currently set at 227 at most books as of Saturday morning. Both teams have fairly average defensive ratings, with the Clippers ranking 16th (115.2) and the Knicks ranking 14th (115) in the league. While this might not seem like a recipe for a high-scoring game, it does leave the possibility open for either team to get hot and put up some big numbers.

The Knicks have been struggling defensively as of late, giving up over 120 points in three of their last four games. This could potentially play into the Over, as they may struggle to contain the Clippers' offensive firepower. However, Brunson's absence could hurt the Knicks' offense, as he accounted for 41 points in the last game between these two teams.

Bettors may want to keep an eye on both teams' offensive performances in the early going to get a better sense of how the game is likely to play out.

A key statistic to consider: Under is 21-5-1 in Clippers’ last 27 games playing on two days’ rest.

Knicks vs Clippers betting trend to know

Knicks are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game. Find more NBA betting trends for Knicks vs. Clippers.

Knicks vs Clippers game info

Knicks vs Clippers key injuries

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