Free NBA Pick: Clippers vs. Raptors NBA Odds
Looking for LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors free NBA picks & NBA odds? NBA betting sees the Clippers taking on the Raptors on Friday, December 31st, 2021 at Scotiabank Arena. Cappers Picks provides complimentary expert handicapping picks on all NBA basketball matchups so stay tuned for more FREE daily NBA hoops predictions like this LA Clippers Raptors matchup.
2021 NBA Handicapping
(18-17) LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors (14-17)
Date: Friday, December 31st
Time: 7:30 PM EST
Venue: Bankers Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, Ontario
NBA Moneyline Odds: Clippers +205 | Raptors -220 (Bet Now!) Moneyline is off as of posting
NBA Betting Odds: Raptors -5.5
NBA Betting Total: 209.5
Friday, December 31st the LA Clippers and Toronto Raptors meet for the first time this season. The squads will complete their season series in LA on March 16th.
The Clippers last played Wednesday defeating the Celtics 91-82 while the Raptors lost 109-114 to the 76ers in a scrappy affair.
Last season, the squads played twice with the Clippers winning both contests. The Raptors hold the all-time record having bested the Clippers in 27 of their 50 matches.
LA Clippers
Staying afloat in the Western Conference has been an easier task this year. In prior seasons having one or two bad weeks could end your shot at the playoffs but with the pandemic and the improved depth in the East, it’s created more parity especially in the West.
Those factors proved beneficial for the Clippers through 35 games but now other factors are adding up and the Clippers could be in some trouble. How they fare over the next month while Paul George is sidelined healing from torn ligaments in his elbow will be key.
The onus will fall upon Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr, and Luke Kennard during this stretch. Versus Boston, Morris led with a double-double of 23 points and 10 rebounds while Kennard, Eric Bledsoe, and Terance Mann each scored 17 points.
Of the quintet in protocols, Reggie Jackson (conditioning) is questionable while Ivica Zubc, Jay Scrubb, Brandon Boston Jr., and Moses Wright are all out Friday.
Jason Preston (foot) and Nic Batum (ankle) were both downgraded to out Friday.
Isaiah Hartenstein (ankle) is out indefinitely. Paul George (elbow) is out for a month minimum while Kawhi Leonard continues to rehab and progress back from a torn ACL with no return date defined.
Toronto Raptors
Much has been made of how the Raptors’ core trio has only appeared in three games this season but what gets pushed to the side is even in those matches both centers weren’t available.
Essentially, this entire year has been about waiting for a core player to return and immediately watching one (or more) leave once they do. It’s made for a difficult task to build chemistry and string together a winning streak.
As the New Year looms Nick Nurse may finally have a full roster compliment to work with and NBA fans will finally get to see how the intriguing Barnes, Siakam, Anunoby trio will work.
Specifically noted as probable to return Friday are OG Anunoby, Fred VanVleet, Scottie Barnes, Precious Achiuwa (all from protocols) while Khem Birch (knee) and Dalano Banton (knee) are also probable.
Yuta Watanabe (leg), Justin Champagnie (COVID), Isaac Bonga (COVID), and David Johnson (calf) are questionable and Goran Dragic (personal) is out.
Siakam, Gary Trent Jr., and Malachi Flynn made their return versus the 76ers pushing them right to the buzzer as Chris Boucher delivered a massive 28 points, 19 rebounds double-double, and Siakam also scored 28.
Bench scoring (35 to 18) and free throws (38 to 22) were the difference in the match with Philly winning both areas and helping them get the five-point win.
NBA Betting Trends:
- The Raptors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games.
- The Clippers are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games.
- The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 5 games.
- The total has gone UNDER in 5 of LA Clippers’ last 6 games.
Free LA Clippers vs. Toronto Raptors NBA Prediction:
Although this could be smoke and mirrors the Raptors aren’t typically a team given to false advertising so it would seem they’ll be close to full strength. Nor are they a team who needs much motivation particularly against the Clippers.
Not when LA openly tampered with Kawhi Leonard by attending 95% of his Raptors games. Not when they worked with OKC to do a sign and trade mortgaging their future draft picks and quality assets in order to land the lesser of the two talents (George).
Something that is oft forgotten about 2020 free agency is a number of top players changed teams (Durant, Butler, etc) and all of them except one (Leonard) did it via a sign and trade deal.
Suffice to say, Masai Ujiri isn’t likely to do any favors for Lawrence Frank anytime soon including having empathy for their current situation so expect the Raptors to bring in 2022 with a bang.
4* Free NBA Betting Pick: Raptors -5.5
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