The new-look Los Angeles Clippers make their much-anticipated home debut Friday night against the Chicago Bulls.
The Clippers are 1-point favorites with a total of 190 points. NBA-TV will broadcast at 10:30 p.m. (ET) from Staples Center in the second half of a doubleheader following Phoenix at New Orleans.
Los Angeles (1-1 straight up and against the spread) will be playing its first home game, showing off its shiny new toy in Chris Paul, who was an early Christmas present from Commissioner David Stern. Ticket sales have gone through the roof since his acquisition and it should be a great home crowd, especially with Chicago in town.
Paul scored 20 points (7-of-12 shooting) in the opening 105-86 win at Golden State, but had just 10 points (3-of-10 shooting) in a 115-90 loss at San Antonio on Wednesday. He had nine assists each game. Blake Griffin (25 PPG) isn’t having any trouble getting used to the revamped lineup.
The Bulls (2-1 SU, 1-2 ATS) may be feeling déjà vu during introductions. They played at Staples Center on opening Christmas Day versus the Lakers, a stunning 88-87 comeback win. Chicago then headed up the coast, losing at Golden State (99-91) on Monday before beating Sacramento on Thursday (108-98).
Point guard Derrick Rose has modest numbers by his standards at 18.0 PPG and 7.0 APG. He’s taking less shots, which is a good thing for his teammates, and the addition of Richard Hamilton gives him a legitimate backcourt scoring partner.
The Clippers went 23-18 SU at home last year, although covered just one of their final eight there. This seems to be a favorable spread for them with the Bulls on the second half of a back-to-back.
There are 10 more Friday tilts. Dallas (0-3 SU, 1-2 ATS) looks for its first win when it hosts Toronto (1-1 SU and ATS) as 8½-point favorites. The total is 194½. The defending champs played Oklahoma City tough (104-102 loss) on Thursday, but are allowing 108 PPG overall, helping the ‘over’ go 3-0. Playing on consecutive nights won’t help this rapidly aging bunch.
Boston hosts Detroit in a battle of winless teams. The Celtics could drop to 0-4 SU for the first time since 1969, but are at least 2-1 ATS. Paul Pierce (heel) is questionable and holding up the pointspread, and they need his scoring. Detroit (0-2 SU and ATS) could only muster 89 points at home last game against a terrible Cleveland team. Watch for the pending total.
The New Orleans Hornets are 2-0 SU and ATS and beat Boston (97-78) last game even with guard Eric Gordon out. He’s listed as doubtful tonight as they host a Phoenix (0-2 SU and ATS) outfit they already beat 85-84 as 6½-point ‘dogs in the desert on December 26. The Suns lack a marquee player with 37-year-old Steve Nash declining precipitously. This spread is also pending.
Lakers get Andrew Bynum back Saturday
The Los Angeles Lakers (2-2 SU, 3-1 ATS) haven’t gotten many breaks this year, opening the season with three games in three days. They were also without center Andrew Bynum for the first four due to a league suspension.
The Lakers have won their last two contests after losing the first two. The latest came Thursday night against the Knicks, 99-82 as 4½-point favorites. Bynum is eligible to return Saturday afternoon at home versus Denver. The Nuggets (2-1 SU and ATS) can score at 111.3 PPG (‘over’ 3-0), but the Lakers are allowing just 85.2 PPG (‘under’ 4-0) even without Bynum in the middle.
The Golden State Warriors (2-1 SU and ATS) are finally playing some defense under first-time coach Mark Jackson. Their 91.3 PPG ranks sixth in the NBA and is over 14 PPG less than they allowed last year. It’s also helped the ‘under’ go 3-0.
The Warriors play their fourth consecutive home game on Saturday night versus Philadelphia. Guard Stephen Curry (ankle) is questionable after missing last game. The 76ers (1-1 SU, 1-0-1 ATS) have started the season with a West Coast trip and will be playing the second half of a back-to-back after visiting Utah on Friday.
Wizards host Celtics on New Year’s Day
The Washington Wizards may be 0-2 SU and ATS pending a Friday visit to Milwaukee, but they’ll be happy to host Boston on Sunday. The nation’s capital is a place Boston has struggled even when it was good, going 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS over the last seven games. The Wizards are scoring just 83.5 PPG so far this year, but their athletes give the older Celtics troubles.
The Lakers and Nuggets will follow their Saturday game in the City of Angels with a Sunday affair in the Mile High City. Denver is the younger and deeper team and the Lakers could have serious trouble playing in the high altitude with little rest. Look for Denver to push the ball as much as possible with speedy Ty Lawson.