Game Time: 7:30 PM ET, Friday, March 11th, 2022 

Venue:  State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia

Where to Watch: NBA League Pass

DraftKings:  Spread:  Hawks -6 O/U 227.5

Fanduel:  Spread:   Hawks -6.5 O/U 230

BetMGM:  Spread:  Hawks -6.5 O/U 228.5

Clippers: 35-33, 8th place Western Conference

Hawks: 31-34, 10th place Eastern Conference

A non-conference NBA matchup between mid-level teams.  Teams that are threatening to “make noise” in the play-in tournament.  Teams that are not where their best laid plans promised they would be.  The Hawks struggled with injuries and Covid absences this season… and the Eastern Conference all of a sudden got better.  The Clippers suffered from injury more than probably any other team in the league… and don’t tell me the Lakers or Nets… The Clippers are missing their best player since last season’s playoffs and they are missing their second best player just as long as Anthony Davis or Kevin Durant missed games… maybe longer.  Oh and the Clippers pulled off a trade for swingman Norman Powell at this season’s trade deadline… he immediately went out with injury.  Both teams have enough on their team to win games… the Hawks less often.  

The problem with the Clippers is that they have 100 million dollars on the bench in street clothes.  The rumor mill says that SG Kahwi Leonard has been having more and more intense workouts to see if he can return before the regular season ends.  Kawhi of course will always side on the path of caution over his long term health… what does he care… He’s not writing his own paychecks… and he is not a fan of his own team.  Paul George returning would also be an immediate boost to the squad… when that is due we still don’t have a target.  Norman Powell has a broken bone in his left foot and 90 million dollars due over the next 4 seasons.. Norman will not be back.

The problem for the Hawks is their star players simply don't work well together.  PG Trae Young and PF John Collins are oil and water.  They shouldn’t be but John Collins stats have dipped year over year since Trae Young was drafted… the difference is of course the amount of shots to go around.  Collins also hasn’t taken it upon himself to go after every rebound… he knows Trae will miss 10-15 shots a game… you think it would be natural.  Center Clint Capela is having a slightly down year in both points and rebounds… This is Clint’s 8th season and we know his ceiling… exactly where he is.  His stats will fluctuate with playing time, but basically will always be a medium scoring double double. SF/PF DeAndre Hunter is nearing the end of his 3rd season… He has never played a full season because of injury and at 13 ppg, 3.2 rpg, and 1.2 apg… his numbers are down across the board.  DeAndre’s defense is always strong… they just need more out of him.

The Los Angeles Clippers have won 7 of their last ten games… During this stretch they added 5 games of separation between them in 8th place and the Lakers in 9th place. They also went 7-3 ATS during that stretch.  PG Reggie Jackson, in his 13th NBA season is having his best season since 2014.  Reggie is a determined two-way player who is dropping 17 ppg and getting in other guys' grills on defense. Bench player SG Luke Kennard has opened eyes all over the league with his ability to drain the three-point shot… and to do it so well in the 4th quarter. The untold story of the Clippers is a two-headed 7 '0 Center… Ivica Zubac is the starter and brings just enough quality to help … yet when the team switches to Isaiah Hartenstein.. They don’t seem to get any let down.  Neither are or ever will be an NBA all-star… but at a devalued position in the NBA the Clippers have two players that are just good enough… provided that Joel Embiid doesn’t come to town.

The Atlanta Hawks have won 5 of their last ten games.  They went 4-6 ATS during that stretch.  With wins over Toronto and Chicago it would seem encouraging to go .500 over ten games… but with a loss to the Detroit Pistons in overtime.. It would seem discouraging that they will get any further.  The headline in Atlanta would have to be “no injuries to report”... This team no longer has any health excuses going forward.  At 10th place in the standings the Hawks are only playing for a feel-good story of winning a play-in game and maybe getting a few wins in Round one of the real playoffs before going on vacation.  The Hawks didn’t make a  big move at the Trade Deadline, which lets you know they expect nothing from this season and will look to try again next year.  I wonder which team John Collins will eventually be on?

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The Clippers are 35-33 on the season, but 34-34 ATS.  They have logged 32 Overs, 35 Unders, and 1 Push.  They are 15-19 in road games.

The Hawks are 31-34 on the season, but 28-37 ATS.  They have notched 35 Overs and 30 Unders.  They are 19-13 in home games.

The Clippers are 23rd in scoring with 106.9 ppg, 17th in rebounds with 44.3 per game, and 21st in AST/TO ratio with 1.7.  On defense they rank 11th while allowing 107.6 ppg from opponents.  The up and down nature of this team is on full display when you realize that they have a winning record (barely) but allow more points than they score.  That denotes a team that has big wins… and big losses.

Our prediction for Friday, March 11th is…. Clippers 118 - Hawks 107

The Clippers will win outright... and you get to put some points in your pocket if they don't.  The Bet is for the underdog Clippers.

The Clippers are 36-29 ATS as an underdog the last 3 seasons. 
The Clippers are 20-7 against Southeast division opponents.
Both games these teams have played in Atlanta went Under the last 3 seasons.

Clippers: SF Paul George (elbow) Out ** SG Kawhi Leonard (knee) Out ** SG Norman Powell (foot) Out ** SF Robert Covington (personal) Out

Hawks: No Injuries to Report

Clippers: PF Marcus Morris SR, SF Nicholas Batum, C Ivica Zubac, PG Reggie Jackson, SG Amir Coffey

Hawks: SF De’Andre Hunter, PF John Collins, C Clint Capela, SG Kevin Huerter, PG Trae Young

Clippers

Points: Paul George 24.7

Assists: Paul George 5.5

Rebounds: Ivica Zubac 8.3

Steals: Paul George 2.0

Blocks: Robert Covington 1.3

Hawks

Points: Trae Young 27.8

Assists: Trae Young 9.4

Blocks: Clint Capela 12

Steals: Malcolm Hill 1.3

Blocks: Onyeka Okongwu 1.4

Clippers: Tye Lue

Hawks: Nate McMillan