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posted February 4, 2008 at 17:36 in NBA Free Picks

WHO: Los Angeles Clippers (14-30 SU, 19-25 ATS) at New York Knicks (14-33 SU, 22-24 ATS)

WHERE: Madison Square Garden in New York

WHEN: Monday, February 4 at 7:30 PM ET

BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: NEW YORK -4.5, Total 190

In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:

* NY has covered four of the last five meetings

* LA has won five of the last six meetings SU

* The last five meetings have gone UNDER the total

* NY has covered the last five meetings as the home team

* NY has won nine of the last 11 meetings SU as the home team

* Five of the last seven meetings in New York have gone OVER the total

The Clippers are not high-powered from beyond the three-point arc, making 4.1 three-pointers per game. They shoot 43.7% from the field, putting them about even with the Knicks. Also:

* LA has lost five of its last six games SU

* LA has covered one of its last six games

* LA has lost its last nine road games SU

* LA is 0-5 ATS in its last five road games

* LA has played four of its last six road games UNDER the total

New York has not played a lot of defense this season, allowing 47.3% shooting by opponents, which is 29th in the NBA. The Knicks have also not been very strong from the free throw line, hitting just 71.7% of shots. Also:

* NY has lost its last five games SU

* NY has covered four of its last five games

* NY has played four of its last five games UNDER the total

* NY has lost 11 of its last 16 home games SU

Neither team is doing very well. The Knicks have at least covered four of their last five games, while the Clips have failed to cover in their last five on the road. It is neck-and-neck between these two as to who has worse chemistry right now. Knicks power forward Zach Randolph, as if on cue, is now belllyaching about Isiah Thomas' strategic decisions. And of course, there will be a cloud around Thomas in New York until he is fired. in Los Angeles, owner Donald Sterling is expressing dissatisfaction with coach Mike Dunleavy, who has shot back a few barbs in the press. Oh by the way, one of them was, " "I would only make deals to help our future - anything else is suicide. Anything else and you become the New York Knicks." Dunleavy reported has apologized to Isiah for the remark. Normally one might expect that to be bulletin-board material, but the Knicks don't have enough collective heart to make that work for them.

The Clippers, like the Knicks, are a team filled with selfish players, and it will be that way until Elton Brand and Shawn Livingston get back from injury, if that ever happens. The Clippers have had to sit out both Corey Maggette and Chris Kaman for the last four games with the flu, but the Knicks have been without Eddy Curry for the last two games for that same reason. New York is just 1-6 ATS as a home favorite, so obviously they're not comfortable in that role. Right now they're not scoring enough points (less than 90 in each of the last three) to be confident in laying points with them here.

Yes, this recommendation may be a bit shaky, but we're going to grab the points with the Clippers, the 4.5-point underdog in the BetUS NBA betting odds.

JAY'S PLAY: L.A. CLIPPERS

You’ll find the latest 2007-2008 NBA odds and lines in the best online sportsbook, BetUS.com. Betting on NBA player and game props makes every aspect of the game exciting. Join BetUS.com today to bet on the NBA and make online sports betting work for you!

(Charles Jay of TotalActionExtra.com is a freelance writer and handicapper who not only can make his shots from the top of the key, but also contributes with gusto to the BetUS Locker Room)