by Amedeus Mastrangelo
Friday, Dec 31, 2021
Game Time: 7:30 pm ET, Friday, December 31, 2021
Venue: Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON
Where to Watch: Sportsnet
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Clippers +5.5, Raptors -5.5; Over/Under: 209.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Clippers +5.5, Raptors -5.5; Over/Under: 209.5 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Clippers +5.5, Raptors -5.5; Over/Under: NL points
Season Record
Los Angeles Clippers: 18-17 (3rd place, Pacific Division)
Toronto Raptors: 14-17 (5th place, Atlantic Division)
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Los Angeles Clippers vs Toronto Raptors Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
Los Angeles Clippers: 5-5 last 10
Toronto Raptors: 5-5 last 10
Los Angeles Clippers Analysis
The Clippers are coming into this game with an 18-17 record overall and they are 6-7 in their road games this season where they will be in this game. They have lost 2 of their last 3 games but are coming into this one off of a win in their last game which snapped a 2 game losing streak that they were on. Their 2 losses were against the Denver Nuggets and the Brooklyn Nets while their win came against the Boston Celtics in their last game. Marcus Morris Sr. led the team in points in that game with 23 while Terance Mann, Luke Kennard, and Eric Bledsoe were all next on the team with 17 points. Kennard and Bledsoe both led the team in assists in that game with 4 each while Ivica Zubac led the team in rebounds with 14. They were 40.7% from the field, 39.3% from 3-point range, and 82.4% from the free throw line with their shooting in that game. Their offense is averaging 105 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 104.6 PPG against them. The Clippers have an ATS record of 16-19 this season and their O/U record is 14-21.
Toronto Raptors Analysis
The Raptors are coming into this game with a 14-17 record overall and they are 7-10 in their home games this season where they will be in this game. They have lost 3 of their last 4 games and are coming into this one on a 2 game losing streak after another loss in their last game. Their last win was against the Golden State Warriors while their 3 losses in that span came against the Brooklyn Nets, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the Philadelphia 76ers in their last game. Pascal Siakam and Chris Boucher both led the team in points in that game with 28 each while Gary Trent Jr. was next on the team with 19 points. Siakam also led the team in assists in that game with 8 while Boucher led the team in rebounds with 19. They were 43.7% from the field, 36.6% from 3-point range, and 81.8% from the free throw line with their shots in that game. Their offense is averaging 106.2 PPG and their defense is allowing their opponents to average 106.7 PPG against them. The Raptors have an ATS record of 15-16 this season and their O/U record is 18-13.
Clippers vs Raptors Prediction
The Raptors are coming into this game as a 5.5 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Raptors have had a lot of rest recently as they have not played in a few days now but even prior to that they had quite a few games postponed so they should be well rested and healthy for this game. The Clippers have almost all of their starters out for this game and they will be traveling as well. The Raptors are the healthier team here and they played pretty good in their last game just falling short of the win. The best bet to place in this game is on the Raptors to cover the spread here against a weakened Clippers team.
Clippers Raptors Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Friday, December 31, 2021 (7:30 pm ET start time) is Raptors 117 Clippers 107.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Clippers: 14-21 O/U in all games. 17-26 O/U as an underdog. 9-17 O/U as a road underdog. 4-9 O/U in road games. 5-9 O/U in December games. 14-21 O/U in the first half of the season. 2-6 O/U after a non-conference game. 5-11 O/U after having lost 2 of their last 3 games.
Toronto Raptors: 13-21 O/U as a home favorite of 6 points or less. 18-26 O/U after a division game. 3-11 O/U when playing 3 or less games in 10 days. 7-13 O/U off a loss against a division rival.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Clippers: N. Batum (SG) Out Fri - Ankle injury. I. Zubac (C) Out indefinitely - Illness. R. Jackson (PG) Ques Fri - Conditioning. B. Boston Jr. (PG) Out indefinitely - Illness. M. Wright (PF) Out indefinitely - Illness. I. Hartenstein (C) Out indefinitely - Ankle injury. J. Scrubb (PG) Out indefinitely - Illness. P. George (SF) Late Jan - Elbow injury. J. Preston (PG) Out indefinitely - Foot injury. K. Leonard (SF) out for season - Knee injury.
Toronto Raptors: D. Johnson (SG) Out indefinitely - Calf injury. D. Banton (SF) Prob Fri - Knee injury. K. Birch (C) Prob Fri - Knee injury. P. Achiuwa (PF) Prob Fri - Conditioning. J. Champagnie (SG) Out indefinitely - Illness. I. Bonga (SG) Out indefinitely - Illness. G. Dragic (PG) Out indefinitely - Personal.
Notable Quotes
"They showed their vet savviness. They showed why they're long-time players in this league. They helped close the game out for us. They showed what they do best." - Terance Mann on Bledsoe and Morris in their win against the Celtics on Wednesday night.
"No doubt they were tired. They'd be tired under normal circumstances, but under these circumstances, they were pretty gassed, I would imagine." - Nick Nurse on his team’s loss against the 76ers on Tuesday night.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Clippers
PG Eric Bledsoe
SG Luke Kennard
SF Marcus Morris Sr.
PF Serge Ibaka
C Justise Winslow
Toronto Raptors
PG Dalano Banton
SG Gary Trent Jr.
SF Yuta Watanabe
PF Chris Boucher
C Pascal Siakam
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Clippers
PPG: P. George (24.7)
APG: P. George (5.5)
Reb/G: I. Zubac (8.2)
Toronto Raptors
PPG: F. VanVleet (20.1)
APG: F. VanVleet (6.7)
Reb/G: S. Barnes (8.3)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Clippers: Tyronn Lue (3rd season)
Toronto Raptors: Nick Nurse (4th season)
Amedeus Mastrangelo
About the Author:
Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.
