Celtics vs Clippers Pick, Preview & Betting Odds For Monday, December 12th

Check out our free Celtics vs Clippers pick and preview for this NBA game in Los Angeles. See who we like to win and cover the spread in this NBA matchup.

Celtics vs Clippers NBA Pick & Preview

Sport: NBA
Teams: Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Clippers
Where: Los Angeles at Crypto.com Arena
Date: Monday, December 12th
Betting Odds LAC +3.5, BOS -172 | LAC +140 O/U 226.0

The Celtics come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 21-6. So far, the team has gone 17-10-0 against the spread. In the teams past 3 games, their overall mark sits at 2-1. Boston is 2-1 vs the spread in these matchups.

In their previous game, the Celtics were favored to win vs the Warriors. However, their 123-107 loss, gave them both a straight up and ATS loss. The game got away from Boston in the 2nd half, as the Warriors extended their 5 point halftime lead to grab a 16 point win. In the loss, Jaylen Brown led the team in scoring with 31 points on a field goal percentage of 56.5%.

The Clippers come into today’s matchup with an overall record of 15-13. So far, the team has gone 13-14-1 against the spread. Across the team’s previous 3 games, they have gone 1-2 straight-up and 2-1 vs the spread.

In their previous game, the Clippers took down the Wizards by a score of 114-107. Not only did they come away with a straight up win, but they also covered the spread as 5 point favorites. Los Angeles went on to win the game, despite trailing by 3 going into halftime. In the win, Paul George led the team in scoring with 36 points on a field goal percentage of 48.1%.

Head To Head Recap & Stats

The Clippers are coming off a season in which they defeated Boston in both of their games, winning by scores of 114-111 and 111-82. Last year, the Celtics saw a drop in overall scoring when playing the Clippers, averaging 96.5 points per game. Like the Celtics, the Clippers scored at a rate below their season average, finishing with 102.5 points per game vs Boston. When looking at how these teams have performed against the spread in recent matchups, the Celtics hold the edge at 3-2. However, the average scoring margin in these matchups has been tight, sitting at just 1 points per game. In these matchups, the teams have put together an over-under mark of 4-1. Combined, they averaged 227 points in these games.

Odds & Free Betting Analysis For This NBA Game

The Boston offense will take the floor in today’s game with the league’s 1st ranked offense at 120.3 points per game. So far, the Celtics are averaging 99.6 possessions per game, which places them below the NBA average. Even though they have preferred to slow the game down, the Boston offense is the 20th ranked team in made field goals per game.

On the defensive end of the floor, the Celtics are giving up an average of 104.48 points per game, good for 1st in the NBA.

Power-Foward Jayson Tatum currently leads the Celtics at 30.0 points per game. For the season, he is 12th in the NBA in usage rate and has taken 24.0% of the team’s field goal attempts. In addition to his scoring, Tatum is averaging 8.1 boards and 4.0 assists per contest. In today’s game, he is facing off against the NBA’s 22nd ranked defense at defending power-fowards. Jaylen Brown enters the game sitting second on the team in scoring. Through 25 games, he is averaging 26.8 and is 43rd in the league in player efficiency rating.

Through 28 games, the Clippers are averaging 107.7 points per contest, placing them 30th in the NBA. Coming into today’s game, the Clippers will be looking to improve their 3-point shooting numbers, as they are averaging just 11.9 made 3’s per game. If Los Angeles continues to struggle with their outside shot, they may look to start playing with more pace, as they are currently 22nd in the league in possessions per game.

On the defensive end of the floor, the Clippers are giving up an average of 108.39 points per game, good for 11th in the NBA.

On offense, Paul George leads the Clippers in scoring at 23.6 points per game, placing him 23rd in the NBA. Overall, George has hit 45.9% of his shots while accounting for 21.5% of the team’s looks from the field. In today’s game, he will be working against a defensive unit that is 13th in points allowed to small-forwards. At 13.7 points per game, Marcus Morris Sr. is the 2nd leading scorer for the Clippers. For the season, he is 252nd in the league in player efficiency rating, while posting a field goal percentage of 44.6%.