Los Angeles Clippers 2009-2010 Season Preview, Picks & Odds

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Los Angeles Clippers 2008-2009 NBA Record: 19-63, 4th in Pacific Division

Los Angeles Clippers 2008-2009 ATS (Against The Spread): 31-51

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends & Betting Angles:

• 0-7 SU, 1-6 ATS past 7 at Golden State

• 2-18 SU past 20 within Pacific

• 4-14 ATS past 18 games as double-digit dog

• 2-11 SU, 4-9 ATS past 13 vs Lakers

• 2-18 SU past 20 games at Sacramento

• 4-14 ATS past 18 Nov games

• 5-15 ATS past 20 April home games

Los Angeles Clippers 2009-2010 Preview & Prediction

This is the area the Clippers have struggled the most in recent years. On paper they’ve had solid rosters, but they’ve under achieved since the 2005-06 playoff run.

Chemistry was a concern last year with so many personnel moves. L.A. finished the season in 2009 with only 10 players (Kaman and Thornton) who were on the team at the end of the 2008 campaign.

To succeed, the Clippers need to unite as a team and stay healthy, both foreign concepts in recent years.

The window in the Western Conference may have a slight opening, but for L.A. to slip into the playoffs, they’re going to have to show a lot more heart they have the past few seasons.

Los Angeles Clippers Coach: Mike Dunleavy (7th season)

Los Angeles Clippers Returning Players: Centers Marcus Camby, DeAndre Jordan, Chris Kaman; guards Mardy Collins, Baron Davis, Eric Gordon; forwards Ricky Davis, Steve Novak, Brian Skinner, Al Thornton.

Los Angeles Clippers Key Additions: Forward Rasual Butler (trade from Hornets), forward Blake Griffin (draft), forward Craig Smith (trade from Timberwolves), guard Sebastian Telfair (trade from Timberwolves).

Los Angeles Clippers Key Subtractions: Guard Quentin Richardson (traded to Timberwolves), forward Zach Randolph (traded to Grizzlies), guard Alex Acker (signed to play in Italy), guard Fred Jones (signed to play in Italy), forward Mark Madsen (free agent), guard Mike Taylor (signed with Grizzlies), guard Jason Williams (signed with Magic).

2009-2010 Los Angeles Clippers Point Guards:

The good news for the Clippers is that while Davis has had poor seasons throughout his career, he has also bounced back more than once. Both his 14.9 points a game and .371 shooting percentage were near career lows.

Baron’s best year with the Golden State Warriors (2006-07) at 20.1 points on .439 shooting came after a season when he averaged 17.9 points at .389.

When he’s on his game, Davis can be impossible to defend with his strength, court vision and clutch shooting.

Even with his short absent for most of the year, Baron averaged 7.7 assists a game, notching a season high of 20 on two separate occasions.

The keys for a better season out of Baron Davis? Improved shot selection, a healthier body and greater synchronization with his coach and teammates.

L.A. traded for Sebastian Telfair to back up Davis. Telfair is still trying to establish himself in the league after five seasons, now on his fourth team at just 24 years old.

Neither Davis nor Telfair (.383 last season) are consistent shooters, but both are capable playmakers. In his two years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sebastian averaged 5.2 assists a game.

Mardy Collins would be the emergency third off the bench. Initially, he came into the league with the New York Knicks as a point guard, but at 6-6 he has the size and versatility to back up at the 2 and even the 3.

2009-2010 Los Angeles Clippers Off Guards:

Eric Gordon earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors after a strong rookie campaign. Over the final four months of the season he averaged 19.8 points a night.

While Gordon is slightly undersized for the position (6-3), he’s got a solid 222- pound frame and has shown potential defensively, even against taller opponents.

Offensively he’s effective getting into the lane and drawing fouls. When his outside stroke is on, a 20-point night very quickly jumps to 30.

The Clippers have two veterans behind Gordon in Rasual Butler and Ricky Davis. Butler shot .390 from distance for the New Orleans Hornets last year. Davis is coming off a dismal year, suffering through a serious bout of knee tendinitis.

Just two seasons ago Ricky was a .405 shooter from three-point range. Both Butler and Davis have the height to play small forward as well.

Collins may be team team’s best defender on the perimeter and while he doesn’t have much of a jump shot, Dunleavy will use him as a backcourt utility player.

Baron Davis could also see minutes at off guard alongside Telfair.

2009-2010 Los Angeles Clippers Small Forwards:

Al Thornton improved in his second season, starting 67 games with his scoring average climbing from 12.7 points a game to 16.8. Thornton primarily operates as an iso scorer in the post. He needs to improve on all aspects of his game from playmaking to defense and rebounding.

Butler, Ricky Davis and Collins will back up Thornton, although Dunleavy may turn to Griffin and Craig Smith as power options at the three.

2009-2010 Los Angeles Clippers Power Forwards:

For months leading up to the draft, Dunleavy spoke often about the gap between Griffin as the obvious top pick and the rest of the class.

The future of incumbent power forward Zach Randolph was clear, if L.A. could find a taker. Shortly after the draft, Randolph was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies.

Already in his brief time with the Clippers, Griffin has improved as a shooter. He’s strong and athletic near the hoop with developing perimeter skills.

Griffin had a strong debut in Las Vegas, earning the NBA Summer League’s Most Outstanding Player Award.

He’ll have the opportunity to make an immediate impact as a rookie but has big shoes to fill.

Randolph may have been a black hole on offense and not much of a dedicated force on defense, but he did lead me team last season with 20.9 points a night (along with 9.4 boards).

The Clippers acquired 6-7 Craig Smith to back up Griffin at the 4. While Smith is a slightly undersized, he’s a solid 250 pounds and was a very efficient option off the bench for the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Both Camby and Mark Madsen can spell minutes at the 4. Marcus will play forward at times alongside Kaman. Madsen should be more of a influence in the locker room than on the floor.

2009-2010 Los Angeles Clippers Centers:

The Clippers can boast two centers capable of averaging double-doubles with over 10 blocks a game.

Between Camby and Kaman, the one who proves the better fit alongside Griffin will earn the start.

Camby, a former Defensive Player of the Year, is a gifted shot-blocker. His contract (in its final year) is loaded with incentives based on games played and production.

Kaman has the better post game but isn’t as savvy on the court as Camby.

Second-year pro DeAndre Jordan took advantage of unexpected minutes last season, shooting 63.3% from the field while notching 13 starts.

The Clippers will be patient, but if Jordan continues to develop, he could make one of his veteran teammates expendable.

Los Angeles Clippers 2009-2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Los Angeles Clippers will finish 4th in the NBA Pacific Division .

Los Angeles Clippers Betting

Los Angeles Clippers NBA Championship Odds: +5000

Los Angeles Clippers Eastern Conference Odds: +12500

Los Angeles Clippers 2008-2009 Betting Stats

Los Angeles Clippers Straight Up: 19-63

Los Angeles Clippers ATS: 31-51

Los Angeles Clippers Home ATS: 15-26

Los Angeles Clippers Away ATS:16-25

Los Angeles Clippers Record As Favorite: 6-6

Los Angeles Clippers Record As Dog: 13-55

Los Angeles Clippers Over/Under: 46-33-3

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