San Antonio Spurs vs LA Clippers December 31st 2024

At 7:00 ET, the San Antonio Spurs (-174) will host the Los Angeles Clippers (+146) in a Western Conference matchup. The Spurs are favored by 4 points and the over/under line is 217.

San Antonio is 16-16 and currently 9th in the Western Conference, while the Clippers are 19-13 and 5th in the West. The Clippers are on a 3-game winning streak.

Clippers vs. Spurs Key Information

Sport: NBA
Teams: Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs
Where: San Antonio at Frost Bank Center
Date: Tuesday, December 31st
Betting Odds SA -4, LAC +146 | SA -174 O/U 217

The Clippers Can Win If…

On Monday, the Clippers improved to 19-13 with a 116-113 road win over the Pelicans. L.A. entered the game as -4.5 point favorites but didn’t cover the spread, winning by just three points. The total score of 229 points went over the pre-game line of 218.5 by 10.5 points.

After falling behind 62-45 following a 14-0 Pelicans run, the Clippers fought back. They tied the 2nd quarter 25-25, won the 3rd quarter 31-28, and closed out the game by outscoring New Orleans 29-23 in the 4th quarter.

Norman Powell’s 35 points, including 16 in the 4th quarter, propelled the Clippers to a 116-113 win over the Pelicans. James Harden added 27 points, hitting 5 threes at a 50% rate, with 13 points coming in the 3rd quarter.

Ivica Zubac contributed 20 points and 16 rebounds, scoring 9 points in the final period. The Clippers hit 13 threes at 35.1% and shot 47.7% from the field overall.

Despite a rough start, giving up 37 points in the 1st quarter, the Clippers tightened up defensively, allowing just 23 points in the 4th to secure the win. They gave up 113 points on 51% shooting from the field.

The Clippers struggled to defend the three, allowing the Pelicans to hit 18 threes at a 48% clip. They sent the Pelicans to the line 14 times, where they made 11 free throws. The Clippers finished with 11 steals and 2 blocks.

Through their last three road games, Los Angeles has an ATS record of just 1-2. However, their overall record was 2-1 while averaging 109 points per game.
Going back to their previous five games as the underdog, Los Angeles has an ATS mark of 2-3 while going 2-3 straight up.
Over their last three games, the Clippers have an over/under record of 1-2 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Spurs Can Win If…

San Antonio fell to 16-16 on the season after a 112-110 road loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday. The Spurs, who were +6 point underdogs, managed to cover the spread, and the game’s total of 222 points went over the pre-game line of 216.5.

San Antonio started strong with a 10-0 run, taking the score from 13-10 to 20-13. However, they struggled in the 2nd quarter, scoring just 12 points while allowing 32. They bounced back in the 3rd, outscoring Minnesota 37-25 to tie the game at 82 heading into the 4th, but ultimately came up short as the Timberwolves edged them out 30-28 in the final period.

In their 112-110 loss to the Timberwolves, the Spurs struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 28.2% of their threes and making 11 in total. Their overall field goal percentage was 43.7%, with Victor Wembanyama leading the way, scoring 34 points on 43.3% shooting, including 4 made threes at 33.3% efficiency.

Harrison Barnes was highly efficient, shooting 88.9% from the field and hitting 3 threes at 75%, finishing with 24 points. Devin Vassell added 22 points, making 3 threes at 42.9%. Wembanyama was a force in the 4th quarter, scoring 13 points, while Vassell added 13 points in the 3rd.

Defensively, the Spurs put together solid efforts in the 1st and 3rd quarters, allowing 25 points in each, but they gave up 32 in the 2nd and 30 in the 4th, leading to a 112-110 loss to the Timberwolves. San Antonio held Minnesota to 43% shooting from the field.

The Spurs did an excellent job defending the three, limiting the Timberwolves to 11 made threes on 25% shooting. Minnesota also went 15/19 from the free-throw line. San Antonio finished with 33 defensive rebounds but allowed 18 offensive boards, while also recording 6 steals and 4 blocks.

When looking at their past three home matchups, San Antonio has an ATS record of 3-0 while averaging 106 per game. The team went 1-2 overall in these games.
San Antonio has done well both straight up and vs the spread when favored to win the game, going 3-0 SU and 3-0 ATS in their last three games.
In their last five games, the Spurs have an over/under record of 3-2 and are 2-3 vs. the spread.

The Lean

For today’s matchup we are recommending to take the Spurs to secure the win, with an expected final score of 149-104. When it comes to the spread, we believe they’ll cover at -4.

As for the total, the line is currently sitting at 217 and our model has the Clippers and Spurs finishing with a combined 253 points. Our pick is to take the over.

Get the best analysis, predictions, and picks for your bets at Scores and Stats.

Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Has the Clippers Locked In Ahead of Big Game

Victor Wembanyama is taking the NBA by storm, and the Los Angeles Clippers know it. As they roll into San Antonio for a Tuesday night showdown, the buzz is all about how the Clippers plan to slow down the 7’4″ phenom who’s already becoming a household name in just his second year.

Clippers Are on a Roll

The Clippers are coming into this game with confidence. They just pulled off a nail-biter against the New Orleans Pelicans, winning 116-113 on Monday. James Harden showed his clutch gene, sinking four crucial free throws in the final seconds to seal the deal.

Norman Powell lit up the scoreboard with 35 points, while Harden dropped 27 to help the Clippers notch their fifth win in six games. It’s safe to say they’re hitting their stride, but now they face one of their biggest challenges yet: containing Wembanyama.

Harden knows exactly what they’re up against:

“He’s a beast—on both ends,” Harden said about Wembanyama. “His shot looks confident, and defensively, he’s everywhere, blocking shots. He’s got it all. Guys like us are passing the torch to players like Wemby. Every time you think you’ve seen it all, someone like him shows up. It’s wild.”

Wembanyama Is Taking Over

Let’s talk about Wemby for a second. This guy isn’t just good—he’s special. He gave the Clippers a taste of his talent in their first matchup this season, racking up 24 points, 13 rebounds, and nine blocks. That wasn’t a one-off either. He’s been dominating all year.

Just this past Sunday, he dropped 34 points on the Timberwolves, leading the Spurs in scoring for the 21st time in 27 games this season. It’s the kind of consistency that’s putting the league on notice.

What Each Team Needs to Do

Clippers’ Game Plan

The Clippers can’t just hope Wembanyama has an off night. They’ll need to:

Use Harden’s IQ: Harden’s ability to read the game will be key to slowing Wembanyama down.
Rely on Depth: With Norman Powell firing on all cylinders, the Clippers’ bench could be a difference-maker.

Spurs’ Challenges

Even with Wembanyama playing out of his mind, the Spurs have struggled to close games. Acting coach Mitch Johnson didn’t sugarcoat things after their tough loss to the Timberwolves:

“We’ve got to get better at executing late in games. We’re giving ourselves chances, but we’re not finishing.”

A Tough Schedule for Both Teams

This game is just one piece of a packed schedule for both squads. The Clippers are in the middle of a three-game road trip, wrapping it up in Oklahoma City on Thursday. The Spurs, on the other hand, are about to embark on another brutal stretch, with road games against Denver, Chicago, Milwaukee, and the Lakers coming up.

Why This Game Matters

This isn’t just another regular-season game. For the Clippers, it’s about proving they’re a team to watch in the West. For the Spurs, it’s a chance to show they’re more than just Wembanyama’s highlight reel—they’re a team that can compete and win.

Wembanyama’s ability to rise to the occasion against a team like the Clippers could be another step in his journey toward superstardom. On the flip side, if the Clippers find a way to shut him down, it’ll be a statement to the rest of the league.

The Bottom Line

If you’re a basketball fan, this is the game to watch. It’s youth versus experience, raw talent versus tactical execution, and it’s all happening under the bright lights of San Antonio.

Mark your calendars. This one’s going to be fun.

San Antonio Spurs vs La Clippers Picks and Predictions December 31st 2024