The late game on Tuesday night in the NBA will be between the Charlotte Hornets and the Los Angeles Clippers (5:40 PM PT on Boxing Day 2023). The Clippers, who have been one of the strongest teams in the NBA in recent weeks, are favored in the game at -12.0 (bet365). My Hornets vs Clippers prediction focuses on a same-game parlay with the expectation that Terry Rozier and Ivica Zubac will be big players in this game.
NBA Matchup: Hornets vs Clippers
Away: Charlotte Hornets
Home: Los Angeles Clippers
Game time: Tuesday, December 26th, 2023 @ 5:40 PM PT
Hornets vs Clippers odds (home team's spread): -12.0 (bet365)
Charlotte vs Los Angeles Prediction: Recent NBA Headlines
Charlotte last played on Saturday, a game that they lost to the defending NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets. The final score was 102-95 in a game that the Hornets hosted. The result was the seventh straight defeat for Charlotte, a team that has just two wins since LaMelo Ball went out about a month ago. The chart below represents the downturn the Hornets have taken since November 26th, which was the day Ball suffered his ankle injury.
Charlotte Hornets: Recent Form Alert
Formerly: 5 - 9 heading into November 26th, 2023
Currently: 7 - 20 (overall)
Recent form: 2 - 11 since November 26th, 2023
Recent winning rate: .154
Charlotte Hornets injuries: recent news
Charlotte has injuries in other areas. Mark Williams is doubtful for the game and that hurts Charlotte's chances of competing well a lot. Starting shooting guard Brandon Miller is also questionable for the game, meaning that there is a chance that the Hornets are down three starters when you include Ball.
Nick Richards is a solid enough backup at center but the next center after him is one that LA should be able to handle on both ends of the court. With limited guards in the game, Charlotte is looking at a familiar situation: they need Terry Rozier and Miles Bridges to overachieve for the game, hopefully with some support from an aging Gordon Hayward.
Double-check for playing status updates with Charlotte (11:23 ET time of writing):: Team's Depth Chart
The Clippers last played on Saturday, a game that they lost to the Boston Celtics 145-108. It was the team's second straight loss by a large margin. The two losses came after winning eight games in a row. LAC carried an injury into the game against Boston with Kawhi Leonard. The team seemed to treat the game like a throwaway game with huge bench minutes and barely a 30-minute game for their starters.
Los Angeles Clippers injuries: recent news
Leonard remains questionable as of Tuesday, as per Tomer Azarly of ClutchPoints.com. Updates are pending for this team but the Clippers do not need him against Charlotte as much as they did against Boston. Except for Leonard, the Clippers are clear at the top end of their depth chart.
Double-check status updates Los Angeles (11:23 ET time of writing):: Team's Depth Chart
Hornets vs Clippers Prediction: Betting Tips
The spread for this game is at -12.0 (bet365). Charlotte on the road has been a sad story so far this season. They are just 3-9 as an away team on the moneyline. But so far this month, they would be 2-2 on the road with +12.0 handicap points applied to their road games.
-650 on the Clippers won't make you rich for straight-up odds. But I don't think you bet a team at those odds coming off of two straight losses, especially two large-spread losses. LA is 11-4 from home this season but Rozier and Bridges have to be respected in this game. They are capable of putting together huge performances. I think this is a game for the betting props.
Same-game parlay: Charlotte Hornets vs LA Clippers
You have to expect Ivica Zubac to do his thing for the Clippers. The seven-footer is a lot better than Nick Richards. If Mark Williams does not get upgraded, then Zubac looks like an important player in this game. Furthermore, with Leonard possibly missing the game, Zubac's reliance in the low post should increase. There is a chance that Zubac will spend a good part of the game battling against PJ Washington or JT Thor, guys that are just 6'7" and 6'9" respectively.
Zubac has hit double-digits for points in 9 of 11 games this month. He has only hit double-digits for rebounding in 4 of 11 games. But he could have big minutes in a game that might be a single-digit spread.
What bettors should expect is a game where a well-rested Terry Rozier shoots well from the outside. That will keep Charlotte close to LA, especially if Leonard sits this one out. With a single-digit spread, the Clippers will have to play their starters a lot and Zubac should be central to their efforts.
Bettors should go for a long-odds same-game parlay in this game. Take Charlotte at an adjusted spread of +8.5, take Rozier to hit at least 4 three-pointers in milestones, and take Zubac for a double-double. That will come out to 12 to 1. The thinking is that Rozier should have his legs after a couple of days off and his three-pointers will help his stats which in turn keep Charlotte close. That in turn forces LA to press their advantage in the low block, using Zubac against inadequate opposing defenders.
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