The San Antonio Spurs (49-18) and Los Angeles Clippers (34-33) will square off in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:00 p.m. ET from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The game will broadcast live on Peacock.
The Spurs are 8.5-point favorites over the Clippers on the spread (Spurs -8.5), with the over/under set at 234.5 total points. San Antonio is a -340 favorite to win outright on the moneyline, while Los Angeles is +270 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Spurs vs. Clippers predictions and NBA picks for Monday, March 16.
Spurs vs Clippers Prediction, Pick
- Spurs vs Clippers pick: Spurs First Quarter Spread -2.5 (-110)
My Clippers vs. Spurs best bet is on San Antonio to cover the first quarter spread. Make sure to find the best odds by checking our live NBA odds page.
Spurs vs Clippers Odds
| Spurs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-8.5 -108 | 234.5 -105o / -115u | -340 |
| Clippers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+8.5 -112 | 234.5 -105o / -115u | +270 |
Spurs vs Clippers NBA Preview
Just 10 days ago, the Spurs and Clippers played one of the best games of the season in San Antonio. The Clippers built a 20-point halftime lead, which grew to 25 in the third quarter.
However, the Spurs stormed back for a 116-112 victory. Victor Wembanyama had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and four blocks in just 22 minutes while Julian Champagnie knocked down five triples.
The comeback snapped an eight-game personal win streak for Kawhi Leonard against his former team.
Leonard scored 30 points to go along with nine rebounds and three steals, but he may not be able to repeat that performance tonight.
After another 30-point game against the Kings on Saturday, Leonard turned his ankle in the fourth quarter. He is listed as doubtful with a left ankle sprain.
The Clippers were on the first leg of a back-to-back in the last meeting, so they did not have Darius Garland available. He will take on a primary role without Leonard tonight.
Garland has had 20 points and six assists in each of his four past games. However, he will have a difficult matchup tonight with Stephon Castle likely serving as his primary defender.
Castle is part of a Spurs defense that ranks third in defensive rating. Though he does have more freedom to harass his man with Wembanyama behind him protecting the rim.
After Saturday's win over the Hornets, Wembanyama stated he is ready to push the gas because he wants to win the league's Most Valuable Player and Defensive Player of the Year.
Wembanyama is already the heavy favorite to win Defensive Player, but he is tied-second in MVP odds with Nikola Jokic and behind Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. While that may be another season or two down the line, an MVP award is not out of the question for him if he continues his current pace.
Over his past 18 games, Wembanyama is averaging 25 points, 11 rebounds, and nearly four blocks per game. The Spurs are 17-1 in that span and have outscored opponents by 23.6 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.
Tonight, his minutes will be something to monitor tonight. The Spurs will be without backup center Luke Kornet, but they are also on the first night of a back-to-back.
Spurs vs Clippers Best Bet
The Spurs are 49-18 in the first quarter, matching their full-game record this season.
In the first quarter, the Spurs are averaging 31.3 points per game while shooting 49% from the field and 38% from beyond the arc.
During their dominant stretch, they have jumped on several opponents in the first quarter. The Clippers were not among those teams in the last meeting, but they likely won't have Leonard tonight.
The Spurs may also be motivated after the sluggish start in the last matchup.
Additionally, if head coach Ty Lue leaves Bennedict Mathurin in his bench role for the first half of the quarter, the Clippers will struggle to score. That should help the Spurs gain an early edge and win the quarter by at least three points.
Pick: Spurs First Quarter Spread -2.5 (-110)
Spurs vs Clippers Betting Predictions
For the full game, I like a parlay combining props featuring Wembanyama, Castle, and Fox for a potential payout of +305.
Victor Wembanyama 35+ Points & Rebounds
Wembanyama is averaging 44.4 points and rebounds combined over his last five games.
He has recorded 35+ PR in each of those games, with 37 against the Clippers.
He may get a boost from the perimeter as he has made four 3s in four of his last five games and three in his last two against the Clippers.
Stephon Castle Over 7.5 Assists
Castle is averaging 9.1 assists over his last seven games.
He has recorded eight assists in five of them, including against the Clippers.
He has had eight assists in each of his last two games against them. Action PRO is projecting Castle for 8.2 assists in tonight's game.
De'Aaron Fox 18+ Points
In the Spurs' comeback victory, Fox scored 19 points.
He has scored 18 points in five of his last six games while averaging 22.6 points per game.
He also has scored 18 points in six of his last seven games against the Clippers.
Spurs vs Clippers Parlay Picks
- Victor Wembanyama 35+ Points & Rebounds
- Stephon Castle Over 7.5 Assists
- De'Aaron Fox 18+ Points
Parlay Odds: +305 via DraftKings
