Washington Wizards vs L.a. Clippers Picks and Predictions November 27th 2024

Wizards vs Clippers November 27th 2024

At 7:00 ET, the Washington Wizards (2-14) will host the Los Angeles Clippers (11-8) in a non-conference matchup. The Clippers are favored by 10.5 points and have a moneyline of -513. The over/under line is currently set at 223.5.

This game will be played at Capital One Arena in Washington and can be seen on MNMT. The Wizards come into this game on a 12-game losing streak, while the Clippers are currently 7th in the Western Conference.

Clippers vs. Wizards Key Information

• Sport: NBA
• Teams: Los Angeles Clippers at Washington Wizards
• Where: Washington at Capital One Arena
• Date: Wednesday, November 27th
• Betting Odds LAC -10.5, LAC -513 | WAS +382 O/U 223.5

The Clippers Can Win If…

After a 126-94 loss to the Celtics on Monday, the Clippers are now 11-8 for the season. L.A. entered the game as +10.5 point underdogs and failed to cover the spread, while the total points of 220 narrowly exceeded the 218.5 O/U line.

The Clippers fell behind early, with Boston going on a 10-0 run to stretch the score from 78-51 to 88-51. L.A. showed some fight in the 3rd quarter, outscoring the Celtics 29-21, but Boston closed out the game strong, holding the Clippers to 16 points in the 4th.

In their 126-94 loss to the Celtics, the Clippers struggled offensively, shooting just 43.3% from the field and hitting only 7 three-pointers at a 26.9% clip. Ivica Zubac led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds, connecting on 78.6% of his shots.

James Harden added 19 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds, making 3 threes at 37.5%. Derrick Jones Jr. contributed 11 points, 9 of which came in the 3rd quarter, matching Harden’s output in that period.

The Clippers’ defense struggled in the 2nd quarter, giving up 51 points, contributing to their 126-94 loss to the Celtics. Overall, they allowed Boston to shoot 51% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Celtics hit 22 threes at a 43% clip. The Clippers sent Boston to the line 20 times, where they made 14 free throws. Defensively, the Clippers recorded 8 steals and 3 blocks.

• Although Los Angeles has a straight up record of 1-4 in their last five road games, they have not held up as well vs the spread going 2-3. The team averaged 110 points per game in these games.
• In their last three games as the betting favorite, the Clippers have a strong straight up record of 3-0. In addition, their ATS record was 2-1 in these scenarios.
• Over their last three games, the Clippers have an over/under record of 2-1 and are 2-1 vs. the spread.

The Wizards Can Win If…

Washington’s season struggles continued with a 127-108 home loss to the Bulls on Tuesday, dropping their record to 2-14. The Wizards, who entered the game as +5.5 point underdogs, failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game fell short of the 244-point line, with the teams combining for 235 points.

After a strong start, leading 29-21 after the 1st quarter, the Wizards faltered in the 2nd, being outscored 40-18. Despite a closer 3rd quarter (35-34), Washington couldn’t close the gap, entering the 4th down 96-81 and losing the final quarter 31-27.

In their 127-108 loss to the Bulls, the Wizards struggled offensively, shooting just 42.9% from the field and hitting only 10 threes at a 27% clip. Kyle Kuzma led the way with 23 points, 15 of which came in the opening quarter.

Alexandre Sarr contributed 20 points, knocking down 4 threes at an 80% rate, and Malcolm Brogdon added 15 points, scoring 7 in the 3rd quarter. Sarr also added 7 points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters.

Despite a strong defensive start, the Wizards struggled in the 2nd quarter, giving up 40 points, and allowed 127 points overall in their loss to the Bulls. Washington allowed Chicago to shoot 50% from the field.

From beyond the arc, the Wizards gave up 14 threes on 35% shooting. The Bulls also went 19/22 from the free-throw line. Defensively, Washington recorded 7 steals and 3 blocks.

• When looking at their past five home matchups, Washington has an ATS record of 1-3-1 while averaging 109 per game. The team went 0-5 overall in these games.
• Going back to their last three games as the underdog, the Wizards have a straight up record of 0-3. But, their mark vs the spread was just 1-1-1.
• In their last five games, the Wizards have an over/under record of 1-4 and are 1-4 vs. the spread.

The Lean

The Wizards come in as the underdog at +10.5, making them our top choice on the point spread. We not only expect them to cover the spread but also believe they have a strong chance of winning the game outright, especially if you’re aiming for a higher moneyline payout.

As for the over/under, the the line is currently at 223.5, and our model projects the Clippers and Wizards to reach a combined total of 256 points. Our bet is on taking the over.

NBA Picks for Today

Clippers Look to Rebound Against Slumping Wizards in Washington

The Los Angeles Clippers continue their four-game road trip on Wednesday night with a matchup against the struggling Washington Wizards. After seeing their five-game winning streak snapped by the Boston Celtics, the Clippers are aiming to reset, while the Wizards are desperately searching for their first win in 13 games.

Clippers’ Defensive Resilience

The Clippers have built their success this season on a foundation of elite defense. Allowing just 107.5 points per game, they rank fourth in the NBA in defensive efficiency. Their ability to guard the 3-point line has been particularly impressive, holding opponents to a 34.1% success rate from beyond the arc—one of the best in the league.

However, Monday’s 126-94 loss to the Boston Celtics exposed a rare lapse in defensive execution. Boston converted 22 of 51 attempts from deep, capitalizing on the Clippers’ uncharacteristic errors.

Despite the setback, head coach Tyronn Lue remains optimistic. “I told our guys (Boston is) a great team, but to not let go of the rope. Keep building on what we’ve established… that’s all you can ask of your guys,” said Lue after the loss.

Key Contributors for the Clippers

The Clippers’ success has been fueled by contributions from both seasoned stars and emerging role players:

• James Harden: With Norman Powell sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Harden has stepped up offensively, scoring 24, 22, and 23 points in three consecutive wins before Monday.
• Ivica Zubac: Zubac has been a consistent force, recording his fourth straight double-double against Boston with 23 points and 10 rebounds.
• Amir Coffey: Filling in for Powell, Coffey showed promise with an 18-point performance against the Orlando Magic. However, his offensive production has since declined, tallying just 4 points against the Celtics.

Powell’s availability for Wednesday remains uncertain, leaving a potential scoring gap for the Clippers to address.

Wizards’ Struggles Amid Losing Streak

The Washington Wizards have hit a rough patch, losing 12 consecutive games while ranking near the bottom of the league in offensive metrics. Averaging just 108.5 points per game and shooting 32.5% from 3-point range, the Wizards face a daunting challenge against the Clippers’ elite defense.

Alexandre Sarr: A Bright Spot

Amid the Wizards’ struggles, rookie Alexandre Sarr has emerged as a promising talent:

• Against Indiana, Sarr posted a double-double with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
• He followed it up with 20 points and 7 rebounds, shooting an impressive 4-of-5 from deep in Tuesday’s loss to Chicago.

Wizards guard Malcolm Brogdon praised the rookie’s development, saying, “He’s starting to slow down and really find his touch behind the 3 (-point line). And he’s also learning to roll a little bit… to keep the defense on their toes.”

However, the Wizards are without leading scorer Jordan Poole (21.2 points per game), who is sidelined with a hip injury. His status for Wednesday’s game is unclear, placing even more pressure on Sarr and the rest of the lineup to carry the offensive load.

Clippers’ Game Plan

For the Clippers, the focus will be on rediscovering their defensive identity and exploiting Washington’s offensive weaknesses. The Wizards’ struggles from beyond the arc and inconsistency on offense present a prime opportunity for Los Angeles to regroup after Monday’s loss.

What to Watch For

• Key Injuries: Both teams face uncertainty regarding major contributors. Powell’s absence could continue to limit the Clippers’ offensive firepower, while Poole’s availability will heavily influence the Wizards’ chances.
• Rookie Impact: Alexandre Sarr has shown flashes of brilliance and will be a player to watch as Washington searches for answers on offense.
• Clippers’ Depth: If Powell remains out, players like Coffey and Zubac will need to step up alongside Harden to ensure a balanced attack.

Final Thoughts

The Clippers have an opportunity to reset their winning ways against a Wizards team mired in a long losing streak. While Washington has shown glimpses of promise through the emergence of Alexandre Sarr, the Clippers’ defensive strength and depth make them the clear favorites in this matchup. Injuries to key players on both sides add intrigue, but Los Angeles’ consistency and discipline are likely to be the deciding factors.

.5, and our model projects the Clippers and Wizards to reach a combined total of 256 points. Our bet is on taking the over.