Los Angeles (33-47 ATS) vs New Orleans (49-29-2 ATS) will feature two teams who couldn’t be taking any more different paths following the end of the regular season in a few days. The Hornets are fighting for home court throughout the western conference playoffs while the Clippers will hope to get a high lottery pick in exchange for their misery this season. SportsBook.com has New Orleans as a huge 1-6 point NBA betting favorite.

New Orleans sits a half game behind the Lakers with two games left (one of them being tonight vs the Clippers). New Orleans should be a threat regardless of where they finish as  Chris Paul, David West, Peja Stojakovic, and the rest of the gang will be a handful for anyone period. Paul, who is my pick to win MVP has had a phenomenal season and has helped turn Tyson Chandler into a serious player not too long after Chandler’s career was already considered being a complete waste.

The Clippers have been down and out since day one as former all star Elton Brand has only played in the teams last 6 games. Outside of good a good statistical season from Corey Maggette and improvement from the now injured Chris Kaman, there has been little to talk about in regards to the “other team” who plays at the same arena as the Lakers. A good lottery pick as well as a healthy team next season may make the Clippers a near .500 team next season. If New Orleans wants the number one seed in the west, they must win this game as a loss makes it very hard for them to finish first.

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