Hurting Clippers Host Reeling Magic
Chris Paul’s shoulder injury could have a huge impact on the Clippers’ season.
Looking for a spot of respite, the Los Angeles Clippers welcome the Orlando Magic to Staples Center Monday.
Tip-off in Los Angeles is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.
After losing Chris Paul to a separated shoulder on Friday, the Clippers (23-13, 14-3 home) were manhandled by the San Antonio Spurs this past Saturday, losing the game 116-92.
Without Paul to lead the team, the Clippers found themselves down by 35 at halftime and never looked in the game. The embarrassing loss sent waves through the Western Conference and the Pacific Division, where Doc Rivers’ team had been sitting pretty for much of the season.
On Sunday, the Golden State Warriors won a ninth straight game, defeating the Washington Wizards 112-96 in D.C. The result saw the Warriors (23-13) move above the Clippers in the Pacific Division standings by virtue of a tiebreaker.
Now the Clippers will look to regain top spot.
Paul is expected to be absent for up to six weeks although his injured shoulder will not require surgery, a blessing for the organization. That means Darren Collison is likely to deputize at the point guard spot, as he did in San Antonio.
With Collison starting alongside Jamaal Crawford, currently spelling the injured J.J. Redick (hand), the Clippers’ bench won’t be able to offer the high-scoring offense we’ve become used to seeing this season.
That’s good news for the Magic (10-23, 3-12 road), a team that has struggled all season.
Orlando enters Monday’s game against the Clippers on a three-game losing streak. The Magic has also dropped six of the last eight. On Saturday, the side was thumbed 110-94 by the defending NBA champions, the Miami Heat.
Orlando’s woes have been magnified away from home. So far this season, Jacque Vaughan’s side has won just three times away from Amway Center with the last victory coming against the Chicago Bulls back on December 16. The Magic has dropped seven of the last nine on the road.
Things have been equally as dire against Western Conference opponents. Orlando is just 2-10 in inter-conference games this season, and has not beaten a Western foe since November 6. It just so happens though that the team the Magic beat that evening was the Clippers.
Orlando ran out 98-90 victors that night thanks in no small part to center, Nikola Vucevic. The third-year player out of USC tallied 30 points and 21 boards in that game, hitting some crucial free throws down the stretch.
Vucevic might not pose a threat on Monday though. He’s missed the Magic’s last two games with an ankle injury and will be a game time decision when his team takes to the hardwood at Staples Center.
One player that will be seeing playing time for the Magic is Victor Oladipo. The rookie out of Indiana has been one of the few shining lights for the Magic this season, providing a spark off the bench. He’s averaging 12.8 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 1.5 steals in 30 minutes of action so far this season.
Oladipo was named December’s Rookie of the Month for the Eastern Conference.
Orlando Magic vs. Los Angeles Clippers odds for 01/06/2014
The Clippers may well be hoping for some respite but recent history tells us that they won’t get it against the Magic.
Orlando has won 11 of its last 13 meetings with the Clippers, including November’s win in Florida. The Magic is 29-19 all-time against the Clippers.
Still, Los Angeles (-500) opens as a heavy favorite over Orlando (+405).
The spread opened at 10 but has already slipped to 9.5 and could drop further ahead of tip-off.
The Clippers (21-15-0 ATS) have fared better against the spread than the Magic (15-17-1 ATS) this season, but Orlando is a sneaky 9-5-1 ATS on the road, a trend bettors won’t want to dismiss.
Orlando is also 11-2-0 ATS in its last 13 games against the Clippers.
The over/under opened at 198.
The Clippers (18-17-1) have marginally favored the over this season, although four of their last six games have seen the total go under.
The Magic (15-18-0) has favored the under, a trend that has rang true in each of the team’s last five road games.
The total has gone under in 11 of Orlando’s last 15 road games against the Clippers, making the under the smart bet.
Nikola Vucevic could be huge again for the Magic…if he plays.
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