When the Hornets visited the Clippers in Los Angeles, it didn’t go so well. They’ll try to flip the script at home. Hopefully Boban plays tonight. That guy is a delight. This is now an open thread!<doc-sep>3:30p: WATCH ON FOX SPORTS APP The Los Angeles Clippers face the Charlotte Hornets (26-26) today, with our coverage starting at 3:30p with ‘Clippers Live’. The six-game road swing continues tonight in Charlotte. 📺 #PrimeTicket | FOX Sports App — LA Clippers (@LAClippers) February 5, 2019 Los Angeles split the first two games of their 10-day, six-game trip, winning at Detroit on Saturday night before losing 121-103 at Toronto Sunday. Doc Rivers admits the club had tired legs following the defeat vs. the Raptors. Los Angeles (29-25) started the week in the the No. 8 playoff position in the Western Conference.<doc-sep>Game Information: Where: Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina When: 4:00 PM PT How to Watch: Fox Sports Prime Ticket, AM 570 Projected Starting Lineups: Clippers: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Patrick Beverley – Avery Bradley – Tobias Harris – Marcin Gortat Hornets: Kemba Walker – Jeremy Lamb – Nicolas Batum – Marvin Williams – Cody Zeller Injuries: Clippers: Danilo Gallinari Out (back), Luc Mbah a Moute Out (knee) Hornets: Cody Zeller Probable (hand) The Big Picture: The Clippers are struggling. They went 1-3 last week, and only got the one win through a miraculous comeback against a lethargic Pistons team. Their defense, after briefly surging in early-mid January, has fallen back down to earth, and their offense is ineffective when Lou Williams is not performing magical acts on the basketball court. Only young Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has stepped up to the plate, putting together his best back-to-back performances of the season over the past two games, and extending his streak of scoring in double figures to five. He’s flourished with Gallinari out, but the rest of the team has not, and they need him back in the lineup as soon as possible. The Lakers are coming with LeBron James (and almost certain trade deadline reinforcements), and the Kings refuse to go away either. The Antagonist: The Hornets are having yet another mediocre season as a bottom-tier playoff team in the Eastern Conference. Kemba Walker has cooled since a hot start, yet remains one of the most combustible and explosive scorers in the NBA – and one of the most entertaining. The issue, as it has been for years, is that the rest of the supporting cast is lacking. Nicolas Batum’s disappearing act is worse than ever, Cody Zeller is always injured (though probably coming back tonight), Michael Kidd-Gilchrist still can’t shoot, and Bismack Biyombo is somehow making $18 million a season. Fortunately, the Hornets do have some glimpses of promise with the scoring of second-year guard Malik Monk off the bench and the flashes of incredible explosive play from rookie forward Miles Bridges. The Hornets aren’t bad, just mediocre, but on the right night they can be dangerous. Notes: Clips hope second game is similar to first: The Clippers first game against the Hornets, nearly a month ago, was one of their best wins of the season. They played excellent defense against the Hornets, moved the ball around on offense, and had the game locked up by the mid-third quarter. Lou Williams was rolling, the team was healthy (outside of Luc) and the Clippers appeared to be in good straits. Since then, things haven’t been so great, but the Clippers have to hope they have the Hornets number once again. The Clippers first game against the Hornets, nearly a month ago, was one of their best wins of the season. They played excellent defense against the Hornets, moved the ball around on offense, and had the game locked up by the mid-third quarter. was rolling, the team was healthy (outside of Luc) and the Clippers appeared to be in good straits. Since then, things haven’t been so great, but the Clippers have to hope they have the Hornets number once again. Tobias’ shooting: As detailed by Farbod here, Tobias Harris has been severely effected by his shoulder strain which he suffered against the Lakers last week. His outside shot has been off, his confidence is down, and he just doesn’t look comfortable on the court. With a full day off to rest, hopefully Harris is feeling better, because Gallo is out once again, and the Clippers need Harris to shoulder (no pun intended) much of the scoring load. If he still looks out of sorts, the Clippers could be in for a long night. As detailed by Farbod here, has been severely effected by his shoulder strain which he suffered against the Lakers last week. His outside shot has been off, his confidence is down, and he just doesn’t look comfortable on the court. With a full day off to rest, hopefully is feeling better, because Gallo is out once again, and the Clippers need Harris to shoulder (no pun intended) much of the scoring load. If he still looks out of sorts, the Clippers could be in for a long night. More starting lineup experimentation: With the Clippers flailing over the past few games, Doc Rivers has gone increasingly experimental with his lineups. He’s played four guards, tried every single one of the Clippers’ big men, given Jerome Robinson more minutes, and even gone long stretches without Avery Bradley ! The Hornets are a pretty traditional opponent in that they usually have a big man on the floor and don’t have too many players who need to be switched against, so this could be a Marcin Gortat game. However, don’t be surprised if Doc returns to Johnathan Motley , or even tries running the Bobinator out there again. As long as the Clippers are in the woods, Doc will keep searching for a lineup to bring them out. With the Clippers flailing over the past few games, has gone increasingly experimental with his lineups. He’s played four guards, tried every single one of the Clippers’ big men, given more minutes, and even gone long stretches without ! The Hornets are a pretty traditional opponent in that they usually have a big man on the floor and don’t have too many players who need to be switched against, so this could be a game. However, don’t be surprised if Doc returns to , or even tries running the Bobinator out there again. As long as the Clippers are in the woods, Doc will keep searching for a lineup to bring them out. Stopping Kemba: Really, the game will come down to the Clippers getting buckets and being able to slow Kemba Walker . Jeremy Lamb has developed into a nice scorer, and Monk can string some baskets together, but the Hornets’ only true threat is Walker , and what a threat he is. The Clippers did well in their first meeting at holding him in check, but he’s a guy who feeds off the home crowd, and the Clippers will need to make sure to not let him get going, because he’s very hard to stop when he does. Check out At the Hive for the Hornets perspective, and check back in for the game thread later!<doc-sep>
Clippers vs. Hornets Prediction The Charlotte Hornets will look to run their home winning streak to six straight with a victory Tuesday night versus the Los Angeles Clippers at 7:00 p.m. ET. That said, is the value for bettors in the road dog that has dominated this series ATS? Game Snapshot 547 Los Angeles Clippers at 548 Charlotte Hornets 7:00 p.m. ET, Tuesday, February 5, 2019 Spectrum Center, Charlotte, North Carolina Our NBA Live Odds page pulls spreads and totals from multiple different online sportsbooks so you can compare betting odds to ensure you’re getting the best line. Public Betting Trends According to oddsmakers from online sportsbook BetNow.eu, the Hornets are 3.5-point favorites to beat the Clippers. The total, meanwhile, sits at 226 points and as of this writing, 58% of the public betting tickets wagered at online sportsbooks are on the Hornets to cover the point spread. Los Angeles Clippers Fantasy Spin Danilo Gallinari (back) is being listed as "out" for Tuesday's game in Charlotte. Gallinari has been rehabbing in Los Angeles for the first two games of the Clippers' road trip, and while he won't play on Tuesday, he is flying out to Charlotte to rejoin the team -- so perhaps he'll be able to get back out there for Thursday's game in Indiana. We should get more than a few updates leading up to Thursday's tip, but those who swooped up Patrick Beverley while The Rooster was out should start looking for his replacement on the wire. Charlotte Hornets Fantasy Spin Cody Zeller (right hand surgery) is probable for Tuesday's game against the Clippers. Zeller got in a full contact, 5-on-5 practice on Monday, so it sounds like he'll be back in action on Tuesday night, which will shift Bismack Biyombo back to the second unit and Willy Hernangomez could drop from the rotation entirely. Zeller owns averages of 9.3 points, 6.2 boards, 2.1 assists and 0.8 blocks per game on 55.8% shooting from the field and 84.2% from the line, so he has some low-end appeal in deep leagues. NBA Betting Trends Los Angeles The Clippers are just 3-9 against the spread in their last 12 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Charlotte The Hornets have covered the spread in seven of their last 10 games overall and are 4-1 against the number in their last five home games. Prediction The Clippers have been profitable in this series, cashing in 13 of the last 18 meetings and posting a 11-4-1 record at the betting window in their last 16 trips to Charlotte. They’ve also covered the spread in eight of their last 11 road games so while the Hornets have been excellent at home of late, Los Angeles has been solid on the road. The Hornets are also just 3-8 against the number in their last 11 home games versus an opponent with a winning road record. Tuesday NBA Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers +3.5