Blake Griffin has Clippers soaring ‘over’ NBA odds
By: Michael Robinson
The stellar play of Los Angles Clippers forward Blake Griffin has sparked a franchise resurgence, but also caused an ‘over’ run. This is just one of several recent NBA total trends that we’re examining.
Griffin is technically a rookie after missing all of last year with knee surgery. The Oklahoma product was pretty good in his first 26 games, averaging 20.3 PPG. However, this perennial laughingstock of a franchise went just 5-21.
Things have changed in a hurry, both for Griffin and the team. He’s exploded for 26.4 PPG the last 16 games and L.A. has gone 11-5. Suddenly the future looks bright for owner Donald Sterling, something most Clippers fans never thought they’d see in their lifetime.
The increased production from Griffin has helped the ‘over’ go 11-5 in the last 16 contests after the ‘under’ was 14-11-1 in the first 26. The ‘over’ is even more prevalent the last six games (5-1) with the offense scoring 109.2 PPG.
Elsewhere around the ‘Association,’ the ‘over’ is 5-0 in Golden State’s last five games with the offense scoring a big 114 PPG and the defense allowing 109.4 PPG. Guard Monta Ellis led the way offensively at 31.6 PPG the last five, but he’s questionable (ankle injury) for Saturday night’s game at the Clippers.
Utah has seen the ‘over’ go 5-0 in its last five games and 8-1 in the last nine. The defense is allowing 106.8 PPG in those nine games, which has to really bother coach Jerry Sloan. He was a lock-down defender when he played and he demands maximum effort from his Jazz squad.
Spurs, Raptors lead ‘under’ brigade
San Antonio is on an eight-game winning streak, with the ‘under’ going 8-0. Points scored (99.8 PPG) and allowed (91.4 PPG) are way below season averages (104.7 PPG and 96.7 PPG respectively) as the Spurs revert back to coach Gregg Popovich’s preferred slower-paced style.
The ‘under’ is 6-0 in Toronto’s last six games. These have all been losses with the Raptors’ offense going extinct like the dinosaur at 89.8 PPG. The recent hamstring injury to guard Leandro Barbosa (13.4 PPG) has hurt them more than expected.
The Bulls have seen the total go ‘under’ the last three games. They’ve been playing without power forward Carlos Boozer (20.1 PPG), scoring just 86.7 PPG. Boozer is probable for Saturday night’s home game with Cleveland.
The ‘under’ is 4-1 in the L.A. Lakers last five games and 9-3 in the last 12. The defense has allowed 93.3 PPG in that span, compared to 96.4 PPG for the season. Having center Andrew Bynum back in the lineup is a big reason.
Home and away total splits
Orlando has a home ‘under’ trend at 5-0 in its last five games. The defense has allowed just 88.4 PPG and one went into overtime. The Magic defense has been far less successful in their last five away tilts at 106.4 PPG (the ‘over’ going 3-2).
Indiana is another team with a home and away split. The ‘under’ is 7-0 in its last seven home games, surrendering just 93.7 PPG. The ‘over’ is 4-0 in the last four road games, the defense allowing a whopping 108.8 PPG.