Los Angeles Clippers 2010 Preview & Predictions

Los Angeles Clippers 2010 Season Preview, Predictions Picks & Odds

With the NBA Basketball season just around the corner, we are providing season previews for all 30 teams to give you the betting edge. Follow the best NBA Basketball Handicappers as they analyze their teams in this 2010 season preview. Use our comprehensive and insider info to bet successfully on the NBA in our recommend sportsbooks. View the rest of our 2010 NBA Season Previews here.

Los Angeles Clippers 2009-2010 NBA Record: 29-53, 5th in Pacific Division

Los Angeles Clippers Betting Trends & Betting Angles:
• 1-8 SUo 2-7 ATS past 9 at Golden State
• 5-1 ATS past 6 games vs Lakers
• OVER is 7-1 past 8 games vs Phoenix
• 1-9 SUo 3-7 ATS past 10 at Phoenix
• 2-18 SU past 20 games at Sacramento
• UNDER is 7-2 past 9 at home to Kings
• 3-8-1 ATS past 12 at dog of 8+ points

Los Angeles Clippers 2010 Preview & Prediction

It’s not just that the Los Angeles Clippers are a perennial disappointment. They are that, of course; the Clips lost 30 of their last 40 games in 2009-10 and failed to make the playoffs for the 15th time in the last 17 years. But there’s something more profound about the Clippers’ futility, something that transcends even their transcendently lousy performance. The NBA has its share of bad teams, but none that carries the seemingly existential curse the Clippers do. Which is a shame, because if the Clippers weren’t the Clippers – the doomed, cursed Clippers – they could easily be mistaken for one of the NBA’s more intriguing young teams as the 2010-11 season opens. So let’s forget, for a minute, that these are the Clippers. Let’s forget that they enter the season with the unheralded Neil Olshey – a soap opera actor turned NBA workout guru – as general manager. Instead, let’s focus on the fact that the Clips quietly had an excellent offseason. And that they have arguably more young talent than any Western Conference team this side of Oklahoma City. Yes, let’s forget that nothing ever works out for the Clippers. Let’s try, anyway. It won’t be easy; few organizations have been so memorable for their relentlessly forgettable play. But if the Clippers can somehow stop being the Clippers, there’s no telling how good they can be. Of course, if the Clippers could stop being the Clippers, they wouldn’t really be the Clippers, would they?

Los Angeles Clippers Coach: Vinny Del Negro (1st season)

Los Angeles Clippers Projected Starters: PG Baron Davis, SG Eric Gordon, SF Ryan Gomes, PF Blake Griffin, C Chris Kaman.

Los Angeles Clippers Key Additions: G Randy Foye.

Los Angeles Clippers Key Losses: F Drew Gooden.

2010 Los Angeles Clippers Point Guards:

This is the third try for Baron Davis, who was brought in to be the franchise player. His first two were … unpleasant. Last season was actually an improvement as Davis was 10-games healthier, playing in 75 while averaging 15.3 points and 8.0 assists (7th in the league). His field goal percentage increased from 2008-09′s 37.0 percent to 40.6 percent, his free throw shooting went from 75.7 percent to 82.1 percent. Baron’s three-point shooting is a true concern, last year at just 27.7 percent. One of his biggest weaknesses has been shot selection. A source close to the team remarked that Baron’s tenure in Golden State with Coach Don Nelson’s unstructured system was the worst thing that ever happened to his game. If Baron can embrace Del Negro’s guidance and discipline, the Clippers may still get something out of their investment. Behind Baron will be athletic Kentucky guard Eric Bledsoe, who played shooting guard next to John Wall in their one collegiate season together. Bledsoe will need to make that often difficult transition to point guard. He can score and create, but can he run a team and take care of the ball? The Clippers don’t have a third point so combo guards Randy Foye, Willie Warren and possibly Eric Gordon may need to fill in under emergency circumstances.

2010 Los Angeles Clippers Off Guards:

After an impressive rookie campaign, Gordon battled through some minor injuries early as a sophomore and missed 20 games. Eric is one of the team’s brightest young talents, but he still needs to show that he can be the team’s alpha scorer in the final moments. Gordon was one of the Clippers’ best perimeter shooters at 44.9 percent from the field and 37.1 percent from the arc. He’s also a capable penetrator who can get to the line (although his accuracy dipped from 85.4 percent to 74.2 percent). Gordon doesn’t necessarily have great height (6-3) but he’s fundamentally sound, strong and quick enough to defend at off guard. The Clippers also view Gordon as their top defensive stopper, asking him to slow the likes of Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Brandon Roy. L.A. also signed Foye to be a primary scoring option off the bench. Randy isn’t a point guard but in 2008-09, he averaged 4.3 assists a game. The rookie Warren can play a similar role, with fellow Sooner Griffin promising to take him under his wing. Given that Foye and Warren at 6-foot-4 are the “taller” guards on the team, Olshey brought back Butler who is a capable outside shooter and at 6-7 can try and defend the more problematic matchups when the Clippers are just giving up too much size. To win tight games, L.A. will need Gordon, Foye and/or Butler to step into the role of late game closer alongside Davis.

2010 Los Angeles Clippers Small Forwards:

The Clippers don’t have a stand-out small forward, but Gomes is a steady, capable veteran. He fits L.A.’s goal of hard-working, good character teammates. Gomes came into the league as a tweener power forward masquerading as a three. He’s since developed an outside game that could land him the job as opening night starter. The last two years Gomes shot 37.2 percent from three-point range, an area the Clippers have badly needed to improve. The Clippers need a rebounder at three and Gomes’ 5.1 a game over his career should help. Butler started 64 games last year with the team mostly at the three (and still may start) but often found himselfout-muscled on the boards. Rasual shot just 33.6 percent from three last season (despite 145 makes). The Clippers would like to see him get closer to the 39.0 percent he converted in 2008-09 with the New Orleans Hornets. Aminu has the potential to take over long-term, but he needs some time to learn the position and develop his body. Expect his first season to be more about education than performance. The Clippers want Aminu to play small forward but to get any meaningful minutes initially, he may need to play some four.

2010 Los Angeles Clippers Power Forwards:

Griffin averaged 22.7 points and 14.4 boards a game as a senior for the Oklahoma Sooners. In his first summer with the Clippers, he took home Las Vegas Summer League MVP honors. Then bad news hit as a nagging injury (after knocking knees with teammate Craig Smith) developed into a stress fracture. Griffin was shut down with hopes he’d be good to go before the end of December, but when the joint didn’t heal, surgery became the only option. Both he and the team have declared him 100 percent, but Griffin was held out of summer league play as a precaution. Given that the team didn’t make any blockbuster summer acquisitions, it’s going to have to be Blake that makes the Clippers a competitive team in the Western Conference. L.A. also brought back Smith, who isn’t a prolific rebounder or passer. He’s not a noted defender and doesn’t shoot the three – but he gives opposing fours fits with his strength and ability to score in the post. The Clippers are hoping that Brian Cook will be the next Channing Frye. Brian doesn’t do much more than shoot the three, but he’s done so at 39.1 percent over his seven-year career. DeAndre Jordan, Gomes and Aminu may also get time at the four.

2010 Los Angeles Clippers Centers:

Chris Kaman is coming off his first season as an All-Star. With Griffin out, the Clippers turned to Chris as their primary offensive option. He put up the best scoring numbers of his career with 18.5 points a game, although double-teams eventually brought down his field goal percentage (49.0 percent). With Griffin coming in, Kaman will need to take a step back offensively while putting more effort into rebounding and shot-blocking. Kaman averaged 12.7 boards and 2.8 blocks a game in 2007-08 while scoring 15.7. Last year he collected 9.3 boards and 1.2 blocks. The Clippers are intrigued to see what Griffin and Kaman can do together. Jordan, behind Kaman, is a tremendous athlete. He’s a big who can block shots into the crowd and dunk with explosion. Where he needs to improve is his overall understanding of how to play. DeAndre has . little to no post game and still needs to grasp· the subtleties of defensive rotations. Griffin will also get time at the five in smaller lineups.

Los Angeles Clippers 2010 Season Predictions

We predict that the Los Angeles Clippers will finish 3rd in the NBA Pacific Division .

Los Angeles Clippers Betting

Los Angeles Clippers NBA Championship Odds: +6000
Los Angeles Clippers Eastern Conference Odds: +2500

Los Angeles Clippers 2009-2010 Betting Stats

Los Angeles Clippers Straight Up: 29-53
Los Angeles Clippers ATS: 35-46-1
Los Angeles Clippers Home ATS: 20-21
Los Angeles Clippers Away ATS:15-25-1
Los Angeles Clippers Record As Favorite: 12-7
Los Angeles Clippers Record As Dog: 16-46
Los Angeles Clippers Over/Under: 39-41-2

Will the Los Angeles Clippers will go all the way to the NBA Finals? Or, will their season be lackluster? Either way, you can still enjoy Los Angeles Clippers betting at our feature sportsbooks. Los Angeles Clippers Betting is serious business; where you can make a ton of money placing informed, smart Los Angeles Clippers bets. Check out these highly reliable, trustworthy, online sportsbooks.

Join Sportsbook.com Today and Bet on the Los Angeles Clippers and receive a Free $100.00 Bonus!