LA Clippers vs. Sacramento Kings Betting Odds & Pick

Los Angeles Clippers (16-15 SU, 13-18-0 ATS) vs. Sacramento Kings (13-19 SU, 14-18-0 ATS)
When: Wednesday, Dec. 22nd, 2021, 10:00 pm (ET)
Where: Golden 1 Center, Sacramento, CA
TV: Bally Sports/NBA TV

Point Spread: LAC -6.5/SAC +6.5 (Opened at 5.5 at MyBookie)
Total: 219.5 (Opened at 219.5)
Money Line: LAC -215/SAC +180
Power Rating: LAC -4

Probable Starting Lineups

Los Angeles Clippers: PG Reggie Jackson, SG Paul George, SG Terance Mann, PF Nicolas Batum, C Ivica Zubac
Sacramento Kings: PG Tyrese Haliburton, SG Buddy Hield, SF Harrison Barnes, PF Chimezie Metu, C Tristan Thompson

Key Injuries

Los Angeles Clippers: F Marcus Morris Sr. *Out* (Covid), F Isaiah Hartenstein *Out* (Ankle), F Serge Ibaka *Probable* (Personal), G Jason Preston *Out* (Foot), F Kawhi Leonard *Out* (Knee)

Sacramento Kings: G Davion Mitchell *Out* (Covid), G De’Aaron Fox *Out* (Covid), C Alex Len *Out* (Covid), F Louis King *Out* (Covid), F Marvin Bagley *Out* (Covid), G Terence Davis *Out* (Covid), F Richaun Holmes *Questionable* (Eye)

Recent Form

The Los Angeles Clippers enter Wednesday with a 16-15 record and sit 6th in the Western Conference. After winning five of their seven games to start the month, the Clippers have hit a skid, dropping three straight games. In their last game against the Spurs, the team was shut down offensively, scoring just 92 points, and as they shot 38.6% from the floor. While currently in the mix in the west, the Clippers will need to fix their scoring slump in a hurry before a trip to the “defense-heavy” east coast. The Clippers leader in scoring remains Paul George, who is averaging 25.0 PPG. As a team, Los Angeles is 25th in the league offensively, averaging 105.5 PPG and 8th on defense as they allow 105.3 PPG.

The Sacramento Kings are 13-19 and currently would be the last team in the play-in tournament for the Western Conference. After winning their first three games in December, the Kings have gone cold, losing five of their last seven games. Last time on the floor against the Warriors, the Kings were able to keep the game within reach before being outscored 29-19 in the final quarter on the way to their 113-98 loss. Sacramento is led by De’Aaron Fox, who is averaging 21.3 points per game this season. Offensively, the Kings are 6th in the league, scoring 110.8 PPG. Defensively, the Kings are 29th, only ahead of the Hornets, allowing 114.3 PPG.

Clippers Offensive Woes

Much of the Clippers’ inconsistency this season has come with their offense. Without Kawhi Leonard in the lineup, the team has proven that their lone all-star, Paul George, isn’t enough to keep them in games against good teams. Aside from their lack of firepower on the floor, Los Angeles finds itself in the bottom half of the league in two key offensive categories. For one, their team field goal percentage is just 44.9%, which is 21st in the NBA. The other area they’ve struggled with is offensive rebounding. At just 8.9 offensive rebounds a game, the Clippers are in the bottom three teams in the league when creating opportunities for second-chance points. The Clippers have a prime opportunity to get back on the right track against the NBA’s second-worst defense, though in their two matchups earlier this month against the Kings, they came up short offensively and lost. While I’m not expecting the Kings to play better defense in this game, I see the Clippers continuing their slide and keeping this game close.

Kings Trending Up at Home

While the Kings have struggled to stay consistent in the win column, they have managed to give bettors some wins at the bank. Sacramento is 4-1 ATS in their last five home games, winning all four games in which they covered the spread. With a stretch of home games against the Clippers, Grizzlies, Thunder, and Mavericks, the Kings will likely continue their role as home underdogs and have opportunities to play spoiler to some teams expected to get road victories. Also worth mentioning is that the Kings are in the Top 10 for second-chance points at home, and as mentioned above, the Clippers struggle in that statistic.

Clippers Struggle on the Road

The Clippers have struggled outside Staples Center this season as they currently hold a 4-7 road record. On top of their inability to find the win column on the road, bettors haven’t fared well recently in taking the Clippers against the spread. The Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games and 1-4 ATS in their last five as a road favorite. On the season, Los Angeles has a losing record against the spread on the road at 5-6. As for their already struggling offense, the basket seems to be getting smaller as they’ve averaged just 101.7 points over their last four road games. Despite being favored to win in this game, it won’t be easy for the Clippers to win at Golden 1 Center, where they’ve won just once in the last two years.

The Historicals

Wednesday night marks the third time these teams meet in the season. Back in the first week of December, the Kings beat the Clippers twice in a four-day span. Dating back to the 2019-20 season, the Kings have won five of the last seven matchups.

How the Public is Betting the Clippers vs. Kings

52% are betting the Clippers against the spread.
61% are wagering on the game to go over the posted total of 219.5.

More Picks: Get Joe’s Magic at Hawks Top Bets >>>

Betting Trends Worth Noting

• The Los Angeles Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven road games.
• The Los Angeles Clippers are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games as a favorite.
• The Sacramento Kings are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
• The Sacramento Kings are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games overall.
• The Under is 5-0 in the Clippers’ last five games as a favorite.
• Over is 4-1 in the Kings’ last five games playing on one days’ rest.
• The Los Angeles Clippers are 2-5 ATS in their last seven games vs. Sacramento.

Collin’s Pick for Clippers/Kings

This Western Conference matchup features two teams struggling to stay consistent. While on paper, the Clippers are the better team overall, they have struggled on the road this season. The Kings have played well at home recently, and with the line moving in favor of the Clippers from 5.5 to 6.5 points, this only opens the door farther for the Kings to deliver another win for bettors. Take the Sacramento Kings against the 6.5-point spread.