by Chuck Sommers
Saturday, Jan 01, 2022
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Venue: Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY
Where to watch: YES, Bally Sports Southern California
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Nets -12.5; O/U 217
BetMGM: Nets -11.5; O/U 214.5
Caesars: Nets -12.5; O/U 217
Season record
Clippers: 18-18 (6th place, West)
Nets: 23-10 (T-1st, East)
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Clippers - Nets preview and analysis
Recent form
Clippers: lost three of four; lost 116-108 at Raptors on Friday
Nets: 2-2 in last four; lost 110-102 vs 76ers on Thursday
The Brooklyn Nets made easy work of the Los Angeles Clippers without Kevin Durant. Add him to the fold, and see what happens.
We'll get a chance to answer that on Saturday when the Clippers visit the Nets after the teams met at Crypto.com Arena on Dec. 27, a 124-108 win for the Nets led by 39 points and 15 assists from James Harden.
Durant was activated from COVID protocol on Thursday, but the Nets lost their first game in the superstar's return, 110-102 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Durant didn't look like he missed a step with 33 points on 13 of 24 shooting to go with six rebounds, and Harden continued his hot play with a triple-double of 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
But outside a combined 22 points from LaMarcus Aldridge and Nic Claxton, no other Nets player scored in double figures and Brooklyn finished 7 of 27 from 3-point range despite shooting 45.7% from the floor. It also didn't help the Nets' cause that they turned it over 17 times to just Philly's seven.
Overall, that hasn't put a damper on the Nets' standing in the Eastern Conference, sitting first in the conference near the halfway mark. But that hasn't stopped teams like the Chicago Bulls from storming through and tying the Nets with the best mark in the East at 23-10.
The Nets have won six of eight coming into this rematch against the banged-up Clippers. One name that wasn't available from a week ago is Reggie Jackson. The point guard will be in the lineup to give the Clippers a much-needed healthy body. Serge Ibaka also returned to give L.A. some needed size for the frontcourt.
The Clippers are coming off an 8-point loss at the Toronto Raptors on Thursday in what could only be described as another weird Clippers game. They can be held to 91 points and win on the road against the Boston Celtics, days after giving up 100 in back-to-back home games, and find the offense to score 108 in Toronto. But still lose.
Marcus Morris Sr. led the way with 20 points, while Jackson had 17 points on 14 shots. Terance Mann had 18 points on just three missed shots to go with 11 rebounds.
But the Clippers are still down their two big names, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George is still a few weeks away from returning from an elbow injury, while Leonard still has time to go from ACL surgery.
The Brooklyn Nets made easy work of the Los Angeles Clippers without Kevin Durant. Add him to the fold, and see what happens.
We'll get a chance to answer that on Saturday when the Clippers visit the Nets after the teams met at Crypto.com Arena on Dec. 27, a 124-108 win for the Nets led by 39 points and 15 assists from James Harden.
Durant was activated from COVID protocol on Thursday, but the Nets lost their first game in the superstar's return, 110-102 against the Philadelphia 76ers. Durant didn't look like he missed a step with 33 points on 13 of 24 shooting to go with six rebounds, and Harden continued his hot play with a triple-double of 33 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists.
But outside a combined 22 points from LaMarcus Aldridge and Nic Claxton, no other Nets player scored in double figures and Brooklyn finished 7 of 27 from 3-point range despite shooting 45.7% from the floor. It also didn't help the Nets' cause that they turned it over 17 times to just Philly's seven.
Overall, that hasn't put a damper on the Nets' standing in the Eastern Conference, sitting first in the conference near the halfway mark. But that hasn't stopped teams like the Chicago Bulls from storming through and tying the Nets with the best mark in the East at 23-10.
The Nets have won six of eight coming into this rematch against the banged-up Clippers. One name that wasn't available from a week ago is Reggie Jackson. The point guard will be in the lineup to give the Clippers a much-needed healthy body. Serge Ibaka also returned to give L.A. some needed size for the frontcourt.
The Clippers are coming off an 8-point loss at the Toronto Raptors on Thursday in what could only be described as another weird Clippers game. They can be held to 91 points and win on the road against the Boston Celtics, days after giving up 100 in back-to-back home games, and find the offense to score 108 in Toronto. But still lose.
Marcus Morris Sr. led the way with 20 points, while Jackson had 17 points on 14 shots. Terance Mann had 18 points on just three missed shots to go with 11 rebounds.
But the Clippers are still down their two big names, Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. George is still a few weeks away from returning from an elbow injury, while Leonard still has time to go from ACL surgery.
Prediction
The Nets have won four straight in the series and have covered five in a row. Given the wide gap in talent, I'd expect an angry Durant and Harden to take over after that loss at home to Philly. Joel Embiid made life tough on Claxton; the matchup should be a tad easier against an older Ibaka. Nets by 18
Betting trends
The Clippers are 5-5 ATS as an underdog this season and 3-7 straight up.
The Clippers are 2-8 ATS in non-conference games this season.
The Nets are 3-12 ATS as a home favorite this season and 30-38 over the past three seasons.
The Nets are 1-5 ATS after a division game this season.
The Nets are 17-5 ATS against Pacific Division opponents in their last 22.
Projected starting lineup
Clippers:
PG: Reggie Jackson
SG: Luke Kennard
SF: Terance Mann
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Serge Ibaka
SF: Terance Mann
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Serge Ibaka
Nets:
PG: James Harden
SG: Patty Mills
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Nic Claxton
SF: Kevin Durant
PF: LaMarcus Aldridge
C: Nic Claxton
Key injuries
Clippers: Paul George (elbow, out), Kawhi Leonard (ACL, out), Nicolas Batum (ankle, out), Ivica Zubac (COVID, out)
Nets: Kyrie Irving (out), Joe Harris (ankle, out)
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
