Clippers at Raptors What Bettors Need to Know
Covers.com
Los Angeles Clippers at Toronto Raptors (-1.5, 199.5)
With Chris Paul still sidelined, Blake Griffin has been showing off some of his passing chops in recent games. Griffin looks to continue his generous January as he leads the Los Angeles Clippers into Toronto on Saturday night for a showdown with the Atlantic Division-leading Raptors. Griffin dished out seven assists to go along with 26 points and 13 rebounds in a 112-95 win over the Chicago Bulls, while the Raptors are coming off a 104-95 triumph at Philadelphia.
The Clippers haven't missed a beat without their injured franchise point guard, winning seven of their last nine games behind some sensational play from Griffin. The fourth-year power forward is averaging 25.4 points and 8.9 rebounds in 12 January games, while dishing out close to five assists in that stretch. He and the Clippers will be in for a tough test against a Toronto team that has won 16 of its last 24 games while boasting one of the league's best defenses.
ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (30-15): Griffin has heard the criticisms of his game since he was made the first overall pick in 2009. He has taken advantage of Paul's absence to show off his versatility, leading the Clippers to a 7-3 mark with his All-Star teammate out with a separated shoulder. "(I want to be) a leader for us, knocking down shots and being able to mix up my game, going inside when I felt the need to and going outside when I needed to," he told reporters after the win over the Bulls. Griffin was one of six Clippers to finish in double figures versus Chicago.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (22-20): Griffin isn't the only player showing off a more well-rounded game these days. Toronto point guard Kyle Lowry has reached new heights since the club traded small forward Rudy Gay to the Sacramento Kings and placed Lowry firmly in charge of the offense. The Philadelphia native had a night to remember in his hometown - scoring 18 points, dishing out 13 assists and hauling in 10 rebounds in Friday's victory - and has looked like one of the league's best point guards over the past two months.
TRENDS:
* Clippers are 2-7 ATS in the last nine meetings.
* Raptors are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games overall.
* Over is 9-1 in Clippers last 10 road games.
* Under is 10-4 in Raptors last 14 overall.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams have split the past six meetings, with the home side winning each time.
2. Griffin averages 19.4 points and 11.6 rebounds in five career games versus the Raptors.
3. Raptors SG DeMar DeRozan is averaging 24.9 points in January.
Timberwolves at Trail Blazers: What Bettors Need to Know
By Covers.com
Minnesota Timberwolves at Portland Trail Blazers (-7.5, 219.5)
The Minnesota Timberwolves are on a roll and are once again on the verge of a winning record. The Timberwolves will attempt to move over .500 for the first time since Nov. 23 when they visit the Portland Trail Blazers on Saturday. Minnesota has lost its last eight chances to move above the even point but comes in with a three-game winning streak and knocked off the Golden State Warriors 121-120 on Friday.
The Trail Blazers can score with the Timberwolves and have won four straight at home after a 110-105 triumph over the Denver Nuggets on Thursday. LaMarcus Aldridge, who was passed over in the fan vote for a starting spot in the All-Star Game by - amongst others - Minnesota’s Kevin Love, went for a career-high 44 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in that win on the night the All-Star vote was announced. “What can you say, man?” Blazers guard Wesley Matthews questioned reporters about Aldridge. “He’s an MVP candidate. Best power forward in the game, I’ve been saying that for two years now.”
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (21-21): Love will give Aldridge a good battle in the race for that mantle of best power forward in the game and showed off his all-around skills with 26 points, 14 rebounds and eight assists on Friday, including the pass that set up Kevin Martin’s go-ahead basket in the final seconds. Minnesota took two in a row from the Utah Jazz with some strong work on the defensive end but made a bigger statement by hanging with a playoff team like the Warriors and pulling out its first victory in a game decided by four or fewer points. Love is getting plenty of help from Nikola Pekovic, who put up 22 points and 14 rebounds on Friday.
ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (32-11): Aldridge scored Portland’s final 15 points on Thursday and has scored 25 or more in six straight to help the team through a bit of a rough defensive stretch. The Blazers have allowed at least 105 points in each of their last four games but drew praise from their coach for their effort on that end late in the win over the Nuggets. “I don’t know if we were playing angry,” coach Terry Stotts said. “I thought we were playing hard, we were competing. We were determined. I don’t know if ‘angry’ is the right word but we played defensively with some emotion. I know it’s in us. We’re capable of doing those things.”
TRENDS:
* Over is 5-0-1 in the last six meetings in Portland.
* Timberwolves are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Portland.
* Timberwolves are 5-2 ATS in their last seven road games.
* Under is 4-1 in Trail Blazers last five home games.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Aldridge is the only Portland player ever to post seven straight games of at least 20 points and 12 rebounds, surpassing the record of six shared by Bill Walton and Sidney Wicks.
2. Love went for 29 points and 15 rebounds while Aldridge totaled 15 points and 14 boards as Minnesota took a 120-109 home decision from the Blazers on Dec. 18.
3. Portland G Damian Lillard is 0-for-9 from 3-point range over the last two games.