L.A. CLIPPERS +16½ (at L.A. Lakers) - 9:35 pm ET #521
Take LA CLIPPERS +16.5 for 4 units
The Clippers suffered another close pointspread loss last night by less than a basket and their recent 0-4 ATS run has been a product four consecutive pointspread losses by two points or less which includes an ATS loss by 1½ points at San Antonio, by 2 points at Houston, by 2 points versus New Orleans, and by 1½ points last night at Denver. The Lakers have already clinched the #1 seed in the Western Conference playoffs and it is tough to imagine they will be fully focused tonight, especially after a big national TV home win versus the Rockets on Friday night. Los Angeles has also talked about possibly limiting Kobe Bryant's minutes during the final two weeks of the regular season. Both teams play their home games at the Staples Center which diminishes the overall home court edge and my power ratings favor the Lakers by only 15½ points tonight. The Lakers qualify in a negative 85-142 ATS big favorite letdown situation, while the Clippers fit a solid 96-58 ATS contrary situation which plays on underdogs (+10 or more) that are coming off 3+ ATS losses in a row.
Sportsbob late NBA pick 4-5-09
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