The Clippers weren’t expected to do much at the start of the season with the absence of Kawhi, but off the back of James Harden they have been a surprise packet.
Best Bet
LA Clippers @ Philadelphia 76ers (10:10am)
Clippers
Win
The 76ers own the second worst record in the NBA at 3-12, so I’m surprised we’re getting this price for the Clippers.
Joel Embiid and Paul George will miss, while Tyrese Maxey doesn’t look close to 100% at the moment – and they’re now pretty much reliant on rookie Jared McCain who wasn’t even in the rotation to start the season.
The Clippers have been surprisingly good this season despite no Kawhi, and their form stacks up. They’ve won 8 of their last 11, with losses coming to OKC and the Rockets twice who are both top-three teams in the West.
Their wins have included the Warriors, Magic and Kings in their recent four-game win streak, with Ty Lue putting together a system that has them ranked 5th in the NBA for defensive rating. A major surprise packet so far, and they should have no trouble against this dysfunctional Philadelphia outfit.
SGM – Clippers / McCain 20+ Points / Coffey 10+ Points = $4.50
Next Best
Washington Wizards @ Indiana Pacers (9:10am)
Myles Turner
2+ 3PM
Points line is 16.5 which I do like against the Wizards, but more inclined to take Turner to make a couple of triples.
The Wizards with Alex Sarr at centre are putrid at defending opposing centres – they concede points 27% above average over the last month and 49% above average from deep.
Looking at stretch-fives against Washington so far this season, Towns recently made three triples against the Wizards in just 24 minutes, while Wemby had 50 on them including eight triples.
Turner will certainly get some looks from deep and should be good converting on two of them, shooting the three-ball at 43% this season.
SGM – Pacers / Turner 2+ 3PM / Kuzma Over 9.5 RA = $3.75
Value Bet
Dallas Mavericks @ Miami Heat (10:10am)
PJ Washington
Double Double
I guess someone needs to pick-up around eight rebounds per game left from Luka’s absence, and I’m happy to take the value on PJ Washington based on a small sample size.
Washington has been inconsistent this season, but has gone large in the two games without Luka recording 27 and 17 against OKC followed by 22 and 13 against Denver. With this clash with the Heat likely to be tight, PJ should play around 34 minutes which is more than enough time to record his third double-double without Doncic.
SGM – Mavericks +2.5 / Thompson Under 15.5 Points / Washington 8+ Rebounds = $5.25
Monday NBA Multi
Celtics / Clippers / Mavericks +2.5
$4.50
