Knicks vs. Clippers Predictions, Odds, Preview

VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert

6 minute read

May 9, 2021

by Jonathan Willis
NBA Expert
VegasInsider.com

The New York Knicks have locked up their first winning season since the 2012-13 campaign. They are set to at least make the play-in tournament and should make it to the playoffs proper for the first time in eight seasons. That has made Tom Thibodeau one of the favorites to be named NBA Coach of the Year.

The Knicks are currently in position to be the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, and they are desperately trying to hold on to that spot over the final week of the regular season.

However, they will have to face both Los Angeles teams on the road, starting with the Clippers on Sunday afternoon, and they close out the year with a home game against Boston.

Knicks vs. Clippers Betting Resources

Matchup: Eastern vs. Western Conference
Expert Picks: Vegas Insiders
Venue: Staples Center
Location: Los Angeles, California
Date: Sunday, May 9, 2021
Time: 3:40 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Bet: BetMGM | betrivers |FanDuel |bet365 |DraftKings |Best Sportsbooks

Betting Odds - Knicks vs. Clippers

Line Movements

Subject to Change

Spread: Clippers -8
Money-Line: L.A. -335, New York +275
Total: 216

The Clippers seek the season sweep of the Knicks as the teams hook up at Staples Center on Sunday afternoon. (AP)

Knicks vs. Clippers Current Form-Last Game

The Clippers have ensured they will be a top-four seed in the Western Conference. They are jostling with the Denver Nuggets for the No. 3 seed out West, and they currently hold a slim lead over the Nuggets.

The Clips have the second-best point differential in the conference and are sitting at 29-9 in the Staples Center.

L.A. has won 13 of its last 17 games ahead of Sunday’s clash with New York. The Clippers lost three straight games during that run, but they bookended this stretch with double-digit wins over the Lakers. This will be their last home game of the regular season as they end the campaign with four straight road games.

We saw the Clips take a 23-point first half lead against the Lakers on Thursday night. Anthony Davis really struggled from the floor with just four points and LeBron James sat out the game. That allowed Paul George to rise to the occasion, and he was the best player with 24 points and a plus/minus of +26 in 31 minutes.

The Knicks have been on a tear over the last month. They have won 12 of their last 15 games, and their only losses came at the hands of the Suns (twice) and the Nuggets. This team has taken care of business against lesser teams on its schedule, but the Knicks are just 16-18 against teams over .500 this season.

Phoenix had little trouble with New York on Friday night. The Suns beat the Knicks, 128-105 as DeAndre Ayton and Chris Paul both recorded double-doubles. Julius Randle led the Knicks with 24 points, and R.J. Barrett had 23 points in the loss.

Knicks vs. Clippers Head-to-Head

Jan. 31, 2021 - Clippers 129 at Knicks 115, L.A. -9, Over 210.5

The one previous meeting between these teams this year resulted in a 129-115 victory for the Clippers in Madison Square Garden. Kawhi Leonard had 28 points for the Clips in the win, while Randle scored 27 points and pulled down 12 boards for the Knicks in defeat.

(SU-Straight Up, ATS - Against the Spread, OU - Over-Under)

New York Knicks Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 37-30 SU, 42-24-1 ATS, 31-36 OU
Road: 15-19 SU, 21-13 ATS, 15-19 OU

Randle has had a phenomenal first season under Thibodeau. He made his first All-Star team in seven seasons, as he led the Knicks in points (24.1 PPG), rebounds (10.2 RPG), and assists (5.9 APG).

Randle has been the main offensive option the entire season, hitting 41.7% of his threes and 46.2% of his field goals.

The only other real scoring option on the Knicks is R.J. Barrett. Barrett is averaging 17.7 PPG and 5.8 RPG, and he is making 44.5% of his field goals and 39.9% of his threes. He has struggled through four games in May though, shooting under his season average in all four of those games.

Former league MVP Derrick Rose has had a nice season. Rose has rejuvenated his career with the Knicks after languishing in Detroit and Minnesota for the last three years.

He is shooting a career-best 40.7% from beyond the arc as a guard that can make things happen off the bench, and Rose is the third leading scorer.

The Knicks have been led by their defense this season. They are first or second in the NBA in opponent effective field goal percentage, opponent three-point percentage, and opponent shooting efficiency. That has this franchise poised for a long-awaited return to the postseason.

L.A. Clippers Betting Outlook

Inside the Stats (2020-2021)

Overall: 45-22 SU, 37-29-1 ATS, 33-32-2 OU
Home: 26-9 SU, 21-14 ATS, 17-16-2 OU

The Clippers have been impressive considering George and Leonard have each missed at least 15 games this season. The role players have risen up without their two stars available, but George and Leonard will determine just how far the Clips go in the playoffs.

George has had one of the best seasons of his career after a disappointing playoff debut with the Clips. He is averaging 23.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 5.2 APG while setting career-highs in shooting percentage and three-point percentage.

We have seen George knock down 47.3% of his field goals and 42.1% of his threes on the year.

Leonard is averaging 25.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG, and 5.1 APG for the Clippers this season. He recently returned from an injury that kept him out for two weeks, and he hasn’t been much of an offensive threat since that point. In L.A.’s last four games, Leonard has been unable to score more than 16 points.

Los Angeles is the best team in the NBA from beyond the arc. The Clippers are making 41.7% of their threes as a team. Marcus Morris Sr., Reggie Jackson, Luke Kennard, Nicolas Batum, and Patrick Beverley are all making at least 40% of their threes, so opponents can’t overcommit to any one player.

Key Injuries

New York Knicks

SG Immanuel Quickley: Ankle - Doubtful
SG Alec Burks: Knee - Doubtful
C Mitchell Robinson: Foot - Out

L.A. Clippers

C Serge Ibaka: Back - Out