Sacramento Kings host the LA Clippers.

So unlucky that Kaman got injured, or we would have been able to take one of the most valuable money lines. The odds for Clippers ML are 8.1 right now, and i believe it is doable, but having a +11.5 is pure safety for me, and i will go 8 units on it and spare the other 2 on the ML, just in case.

Kings are out of the playoff race, but despite this they managed to win against the Rockets last night by one point. Before that game they had defeated the Supersonics 120-107 in Seattle, which ended a 4-game losing streak away. They play without pressure, but also without any stability. Martin and Artest lead the team, and if they don't perform well, the team fails. Kings will be missing their 4th scorer and no.1 assister Udrih again.

LA Clippers are also out of the playoff race. Chris Kaman got injured, and he did not travel with the team for the games against Seattle and Sacramento. According to the LA Times, "Clippers center Chris Kaman will probably sit out the team's remaining eight games after spraining his right ankle in Monday's loss to the Dallas Mavericks." His coach added "His ankle is pretty big.", so this leaves no doubt about him missing the game. The good news for the Clippers is that the 2-time All-Star Elton Brand was back against the Supersonics for his first game of the season. He had 19 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists in 26 minutes, while shooting 7 of 15 from the field. He is a major asset and for these last games he will just get back into shape. Magette had 20 points in 32 minutes last game, and has been averaging about 25 per game in the last week.

With Kaman sidelined, but with Brand back, the Clippers will have to play faster and more penetrative towards the basket, while the Kings will play more static in my opinion.

This season the teams met three times, and each time the Clippers won:

- on December 7th in Sacramento, the Clippers won 97-87, but Martin and Bibby were out for the Kings, while Kaman had a great performance

- on January 23rd in LA, the Clippers won 111-85, where Kaman had 20 points and 21 rebounds, but nevertheless the Clippers owned the Kings in that game

- on March the 3rd in LA, the Clippers won 116-109 in the second OT period, Artest and Martin missing that game, but the Kings despite shooting better, still lost

Tonight Kaman missing will be very important as the Clippers are 2-16 without him i think, but Brand is back and the Clippers will change their game strategy now, so the game is quite unpredictable. Still, the Kings will have the advantage under the basket and therefore the big spread, but them being b2b could have an effect; also it is a game without any special motivation. The Clippers surely want to sweep the Kings this season, and would like to see Brand get more and more in form, so i see here an interesting match, with the Clippers staying closer than the bookies expect them to. Also, i believe they have a shot at this; it's a long one, but i believe it is worth 2 units. Good luck.

Pick : Clippers +11.5
Odds : 1.91
Stake : 8 / 10
Bookmaker : Betway
Date : 2008-04-04
Match Result : 110-98
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