Wizards vs Clippers Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

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01 March 2024

Wizards vs Clippers Picks, Predictions & Odds Tonight

Ivica Zubac has proved to be a key presence on both ends of the floor for Los Angeles this season. Read more as the Croatian center headlines Friday night's betting picks when the Clippers play host to the lowly Wizards.

It’s a miracle the Washington Wizards have won even nine games this season, and even with the Los Angeles Clippers potentially not at full strength, they are expected to handle business comfortably tonight.

The NBA odds have the Clippers as a 15.5-point favorite at home, with the Wizards amid a 13-game losing streak that includes giving up at least 123 points in eight of those games.

Find out where my best bets lie in our NBA picks and predictions for Wizards vs. Clippers on Friday, March 1.

Wizards vs Clippers odds

Wizards vs Clippers predictions

As it stands, the Los Angeles Clippers have listed both Paul George (knee) and Ivica Zubac (illness) as questionable for tonight's game against the Washington Wizards.

With that being said, it sounds more likely that Zubac, who missed the Clippers' loss to the LA Lakers on Wednesday, will suit up than George. George’s knee injury has caused him to miss the last two games, and with the lowly Wizards coming to town, there’s no reason for coach Ty Lue to rush him back.

Zubac may prove to be a crucial asset in this matchup, especially considering that backup centers Daniel Theis and Mason Plumlee have seen limited playing time this season. Assuming Zubac plays, his defense won’t only be a key to victory, but his offense will as well. Not only is Washington third last in the NBA in defensive rating, but it’s also dead last in points allowed per game (124.4).

One of its biggest issues has been slowing big men like Zubac, with Washington giving up the most points (26.8) and rebounds (18.3) per game to centers in the NBA. The Wizards haven’t been able to stop bigs all season and allow the second-most points in the paint (59.4).

While Zubac isn’t a dominant force down low, he does average the fifth most paint touches in the NBA among players who have played at least 40 games this season (nine). He’s efficient with those touches, too, shooting 67.9% and scoring 8.9 points in the paint per game.

Zubac is averaging a career-high 12 points and hitting 65.5% of his shots from the floor. He’s been a consistent threat and a key glue guy for a Clippers team full of superstars. The former second-round pick also leads the Clippers in rebounds, pulling in 9.5 boards per game, the second-highest total of his career.

Washington is also dead last in the NBA in both rebounds per game (40.8) and rebounds allowed per game (49.4). On the season, Zubac has racked up 16 double-doubles, including three in his last four games.

My best bet: Ivica Zubac to record a double-double (+155 at bet365)

Wizards vs Clippers same-game parlay

Ivica Zubac to record a double-double

Kyle Kuzma Over 20.5 points

Marvin Bagley Under 13.5 points

For as bad as the Wizards have been this season, Kyle Kuzma is having a career year thanks to his usage. The former Laker is averaging 22 points per game, the most of his career, while putting up 18.9 shots per night.

Kuzma is 10th in the NBA in usage rate among players who have played at least 40 games (29.8%), and thanks to the sheer volume of shots he takes, he’s scored at least 21 points in 35 of 57 games. The last time Kuzma played the Clippers, he finished with 27 points on 22 field goals.

Los Angeles is allowing the fourth fewest points per game to centers in the NBA (20.8), and Marvin Bagley only had 10 the last time these two played. On the season, he’s topped 13.5 points just 16 times in 42 games.

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Wizards vs Clippers spread and Over/Under analysis

With how much the Wizards have struggled this season, most books opened with the Clippers as 14 to 15.5-point favorites. Even with the news that Paul George and Ivica Zubac are questionable for the game, the line has continued to trend in LA’s favor. The Clippers are now -15 to -15.5 pretty much everywhere.

Neither the Clippers nor the Wizards have been great against the spread this season. LA is 29-28 and just 1-7 in its last eight while Washington is 28-30-1 and 4-4 in its last eight. When these two played on January 31, the Clippers won 125-109 and covered the 9.5-point spread.

The game total opened at 240.5 with the O/U trending down to between 239 and 239.5 at most books.

The Clippers have been one of the worst Over bets in the NBA this season, going 22-33-2, and have hit the Over just three times in the last 15 games. The Wizards have been a slightly better Over bet at 28-30-1 and 4-2 in the last six. In the previous matchup, the Under 235.5 hit.

Wizards vs Clippers betting trend to know

The Wizards have only cashed the moneyline in 14 of their last 79 games (-43.15 Units / -45% ROI). Find more NBA betting trends for Wizards vs. Clippers.

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