Posted on
12/11/2007 4:49:44 PM
NBA Basketball Betting – Clippers at Nets
By Charles Jay
Both teams are on a slide, as the New Jersey Nets (9-12 SU, 7-13-1 ATS) play host to the Los Angeles Clippers (7-12 SU, 6-12 ATS) in a game tipping off at 7:30 PM EST at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, NJ.
In the BetUS NBA basketball betting odds, the Nets are listed at -6, with the total posted at 184.5 points.
In the HEAD-to-HEAD NBA basketball betting trends:
* NJ has covered four of the last five meetings
* NJ has won 10 of the last 14 meetings at home SU
* NJ has won and covered the last five meetings at home
* 16 of the last 24 meetings have gone OVER the total
* Eight of the last 11 meetings in the Meadowlands have gone OVER the total
The Clippers got off to a hot start, covering their first four games. But they have been on a true pointspread tumble, covering just two of their last 14 ATS decisions. One of the reasons is that this team has difficulty shooting the ball. The Clips are hitting just 42% from the field, which is next to last in the NBA. The efforts of center Chris Kaman (18.5 ppg, 13.7 rpg) have been well beyond the call of duty, but ultimately the absence of Elton Brand is a killer, because the team is not getting as many easy shots. On Sunday, the Clippers fell to the 5-15 Miami Heat by a 100-94 count. Dywane Wade scored 35 points and had ten assist for the Heat. Also:
* LAC have lost eight of their last nine games SU
* LAC are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games
* LAC have played seven of their last nine road games UNDER the total
* LAC are 2-12 ATS in their last 14 games
The Nets have obviously gotten great production out of small forward Richard Jefferson (25.1 ppg) and Jason Kidd has averaged more than 10 assists per contest. But the Nets reside just above the Clippers in the NBA's hooting rankings (42.6%) and they're scoring just 90.5 ppg. New Jersey has dropped six of its last seven against the number and have failed to cover in their last nine games at the Izod Center (0-8-1 ATS). Also:
* NJ has lost three straight games SU
* NJ has lost seven of its last eight home games SU
* NJ has played four of its last five home games OVER the total
* NJ is 2-9-1 ATS at home this season
* NJ has an average minus-6.2 point differential this season
With two poor shooting teams who are not playing all that well, there may be a yawn or two. With the Nets going nine home games without a cover and the Clippers just two covering efforts in their last 14, it is very hard to trust either side. But one thing you can be sure of - if L.A. has a defensive game, it leaves it at the Staples Center, as the Clips give up 103 ppg on the road. Wade erupted for a season-high in points the other night, as Los Angeles backcourt personnel (also minus Shawn Livingston, who's been out from the start) couldn't handle coverage. And without Sam Cassell, who is out of this game, it will be difficult – in a different way - dealing with Jason Kidd. The scoring balance resides with New Jersey, the six-point favorite in the BetUS NBA betting odds, which has won and covered the last five meetings in this building.
BetUS NBA basketball betting odds: NEW JERSEY -6, Total 184.5
JAY'S PLAY: NEW JERSEY
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(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)