Cappers Buzz

New Orleans at LA Clippers
UNDER 187
 
New Orleans playing some really underrated defense right now, allowing only 92 ppg.  They are only slightly above average across the board in shooting percentage categories, but what they really do that gets overlooked is they don’t put teams on the line (only 18 attempts/game, league average is 26), and they don’t give up offensive rebounds.  They also aren’t very good at doing either of those on offense, instead living and dying by the 3 (39% on 20 att/game).  Well, tonight they face the league’s #1 3 pt. defense, as the Clippers allow only 27% from downtown, and a respectable 44% overall.  They can be hurt inside, and they send teams to the free throw line alot, but New Orelans really doesn’t take advantage of that as they are a jumpshooting team.  The Clip Joint is limited offensively right now as they are still without Elton Brand, but also without their second option, Corey Maggette, and point guard Brevin Knight.  They are having trouble with TO’s averaging 15 per game.  They will need some unlikely to get very hot to find some offense against this Hornets team.  Line looks very reasonable as 3 of the last 4 have played UNDER with totals of 168, 169, 178 (regulation) and 190.  Both teams play at a reasonable pace, and it may be even a little slower as both played last night, with New Orleans coming out of the Utah altitude.  9 of Hornets’ last 10 played UNDER as have 7 of the Clippers’ last 9.  New Orleans 88-86