SAN ANTONIO -12 over LA Clippers

The San Antonio Spurs seek their 27th victory in 32 games when they open a three-game homestand against the Los Angeles Clippers at the SBC Center tonight. The Spurs, who have won four games in a row, capped a three-game road trip with a big 111-99 triumph at Minnesota on Wednesday. The Clippers, who have lost two in a row and 10 of 11, are coming off a heartbreaking 118-114 overtime setback at Houston on Wednesday.

This is a series that simply has been dominated by San Antonio. The Spurs have won 19 of the last 21 meetings overall, including 10 of 11 in San Antonio. Spread-wise, the Spurs are 11-2 in their last 13 games with the Clips, and 8-1 at home. We look for San Antone to bring their road momentum into this contest, as we note they are 9-1 ATS, beating the spread by 12 points a game, after a win in which they allowed 50%+ FG shooting, 11-2 ATS off a win as an underdog, 7-0 ATS at home off a road win vs. an NBA "CLASS A/B" foe, 10-3 ATS as a double-digit home favorite off 3+ road games, and 6-1 ATS at home off a road win vs. a team off a road defeat. In the opposing role, LA is a poor 3-10 ATS.

These hobbled Clippers are also 1-9 ATS off a loss in which they scored 100+ points, and 0-5 ATS off a loss in which they allowed 110+ points. After blowing a late lead in Houston and taken into OT, only to find a way to lose again, they will be hard-pressed to meet the intensity of this Spurs team that has been playing extremely good basketball. San Antonio should not take this game lightly, despite obviously headed for a high position in the playoffs. If the regular season were to end today, they would be matched up with the Lakers, a fate any team would want to avoid. San Antonio's goal is to overtake the Mavericks and host the #8 team. Look for this team on a mission to play like it tonight as they roll over the hapless Clippers.

PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: SAN ANTONIO 105 LA CLIPPERS 88