by Chuck Sommers
Sunday, Dec 04, 2022
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Venue: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, NC
Where to watch: BSSE-CHA, BSSC, ClipperVision
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Clippers -4
FanDuel: Clippers -4
BetMGM: Clippers -3.5
Caesars: Clippers -4.5
Season record
Clippers: 13-11
Hornets: 7-16
Well, if you’ve never seen a balanced NBA season to this point, you’re in for some craziness along the way. A lot of new faces in new places already making an impact, and our champion handicappers are already starting to take notice. The last 30 days have seen our champion handicappers cashing in a great deal. Look at Brian Bitler going 80-55-0 in the last 30 days, a run of $18,800 net profit. How about ASA, Inc.? He’s on a 55-41-2 run the last 30 days. You know where to go for your best analysis. As the season progresses, you know we're going to be in a position to deliver you the best analysis and picks that one can have in this market. Make sure you check out our Best Bets page at bigal.com to find all of our handicappers' selections, comprehensive previews, and more!
Clippers - Hornets preview, prediction and analysis
Recent form
Clippers: lost 123-96 vs. Kings on Saturday
Hornets: lost 105-96 vs. Bucks on Saturday
Clippers analysis
The Los Angeles Clippers can’t catch a break, but they’re surely trying. Without Kawhi Leonard or Paul George for the foreseeable future, Los Angeles is trying to stay afloat without its two stars and so far so good, hence being two games above .500 to this point.
But it hasn’t come without its struggles. Look at Saturday, when the Kings lost by 27 points to the Sacramento Kings. By the way, we need to start giving the Kings their flowers with how great of a start they’re off to right now. They’re the second best team in California right now, it’s really weird.
But it’s really clear what happens when there’s a large discrepancy when it comes to on-court talent. The Kings are healthy and have a bunch of young stars that are making things look easy right now. The Clippers had to get 18 points off the bench from a lad by the name of Brandon Boston Jr. Ivica Zubac and Terance Mann were the only starters to score in double figures, and the Clippers as a team shot 35.5% from the floor.
That’s not going to get it done, no matter who’s in the lineup. The Clippers need to find another scorer, whether it be trusting John Wall to play more than 13 minutes or what, because getting a combined 3 of 23 from Marcus Morris and Reggie Jackson won’t be the way to go. Los Angeles needs to figure this out.
Hornets analysis
Much like the Clippers, the Charlotte Hornets are also going through their own injury issues, but it’s because their top star is out. Trying to win games with LaMelo Ball is one of the toughest things this team can do right now. Not to mention backup point guard Dennis Smith Jr. is also out right now. As it stands, there’s no winning for this group.
Even facing a Milwaukee Bucks team down its big three, the Hornets still couldn’t make anything happen offensively in the 9-point loss. Terry Rozier scored 26, Jalen McDaniels had 21 and Kelly Oubre Jr. had 20, but that was all the firepower they got. P.J. Washington, their promising young forward, shot 0 of 13 from the floor. In short, he makes a couple of shots and the Hornets have a chance.
But this is the world the Hornets are in right now. There’s a lot of talent to score the ball, but clearly there’s not enough. This group should be able to hang afloat, but it’ll be a good test going forward of how good this young team can be. Honestly, I’m glad they’re trusting Steve Clifford to help in this rebuild.
Since their eight-game losing streak, the Hornets are a respectable 4-5 in their last nine, but still allowing about 115 points per game while scoring just 109. They’ve shot 43 percent from the floor and they’ve been giving up close to 35 percent from 3-point range. It’s just not good enough to win right now.
Prediction
It’s a battle of whomever you expect the role players to win. Right now, I trust the Hornets because the players they have can score the ball. The Clippers, at the moment, don’t know how to score. Hornets by 8
Betting trends
Clippers are 29-13 ATS on the road when the total is between 210 and 219.5 the last 3 seasons.
Hornets are 233-282 ATS in non-conference games since 1996.
Clippers are 9-19 ATS off a loss by 10 or more the last 2 seasons.
Hornets are 233-282 ATS in non-conference games since 1996.
Clippers are 9-19 ATS off a loss by 10 or more the last 2 seasons.
Projected starting lineup
Clippers:
PG: John Wall
SG: Reggie Jackson
SF: Norman Powell
PF: Marcus Morris Sr.
C: Ivica Zubac
Hornets:
PG: Theo Maledon
SG: Terry Rozier
SF: Jalen McDaniels
PF: P.J. Washington
C: Mason Plumlee
Key Injuries
Clippers: Paul George (hamstring, out), Kawhi Leonard (ankle, out), Luke Kennard (calf, out)
Hornets: LaMelo Ball (ankle, out), Dennis Smith Jr. (ankle, out), Gordon Hayward (shoulder, out)
Statistical leaders
Clippers:
Points: Paul George – 23.6
Rebounds: Ivica Zubac – 11.6
Assists: John Wall – 5.3
Hornets:
Points: Kelly Oubre Jr. – 19.8
Rebounds: Mason Plumlee – 9.0
Assists: Terry Rozier – 5.7
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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.
