LA Clippers vs Toronto Raptors betting tips and predictions for Wednesday’s NBA game on ESPN. The 9th best team in the East takes on the 8th best team in the West, as the Raptors pay a visit to the Clippers for the 2nd and final meeting between the two teams this season. Read on for all our free predictions and betting tips.
LA Clippers
A win tonight would see the Clippers leapfrog the Minnesota Timberwolves and retain the 7th seed in the Western Conference. They’ve already beaten Kawhi’s old team earlier this season 124-113 on the road, with him scoring just 15 points in the visit. Leonard’s play has improved significantly since then, he’s scored 34, 33 and 44 points in 3 of his last 5 games overall and playing his former team he should be extra motivated to do well here.
He’s guaranteed to get a ton of help from Paul George who is coming off a 42-point night in the win over Memphis, the team’s first since adding Russell Westbrook into the mix as their starting point guard. LA has a solid head-to-head record vs Toronto having won 5 of the last 7 games, however over their last 6 games overall they’re just 1-5 ATS/SU.
Toronto Raptors
Overall the Raptors are in much better form heading into tonight’s game having won 9 of the last 13 played. This team is doing well on the injury front, with only Otto Porter Jr. missing with a foot injury. They’ve exchanged wins and loses over their last 5 games, and with their next 2 games in LA against the Clippers and Lakers they’ll wrap up a 5-game road trip before going back home for their next 7 of 8.
That stretch will determine whether or not they’ll make the postseason directly or through the play-in tournament. The Raptors have covered the spread 4 times in their last 5 games vs Western Conference opponents. They also shot 50% from the field in their last game, a 118-113 loss against one of the tougher defenses in the NBA in Denver.
Games between two equally strong teams tend to end with splits during the regular season, so I think backing the Raptors isn’t a bad idea at all here. They’re 3.5 point underdogs, having won 11 of their last 15 games in March I have faith in them here. Go with the road team.
LA Clippers vs Toronto Raptors Predictions & Odds
Getting timely stops will be the key here for the Raptors. The pace of play has gone up significantly for the Clippers since Westbrook has been added into the line-up, so I think we’ll see a high scoring game here. The Over has cashed in 6 of 8 for LA, and in 5 of their last 6 vs Atlantic Division teams. For the season the Raptors have leaned towards the Over heavily on the road, with a 19-13-1 record on the O/U.
Their last 12 of 18 games away from home have all cashed on the over, they won’t encounter much resistance from a Clippers defense that’s allowed 129, 128 and 134 points in 3 of their last 5 games. Clippers rank only 19th in defensive efficiency this season, while the Raptors aren’t all that better in 17th. Don’t expect a lot of defense in tonight’s game, back the over.
