The Clippers will be favoured on the NBA odds but by how much may depend on the status of Paul George.

Clippers vs. Raptors NBA Betting Odds

The Los Angeles Clippers have never reached an NBA Finals, but that might finally change this summer if the likes of former Raptor Kawhi Leonard and fellow All-Stars Paul George and James Harden all stay healthy. Clippers owner Steve Ballmer is one of the richest people alive and building the Clips their own arena to start playing in next season, so LA could still be active ahead of next month’s Trade Deadline to add around the edges because the luxury tax doesn’t matter to Ballmer. Maybe a centre to help potentially deal with Denver’s Nikola Jokic in the playoffs. Getting Harden was the big move. 

What better marketing for a new building/season-ticket holders than a defending NBA champion? Kawhi, incidentally, was set to become a free agent this summer if he chose but already has signed an extension with both George and Harden expected to follow. The title window is definitely open right now, but it’s a very limited one with the injury history and age of that superstar trio – and we didn’t even mention Russell Westbrook, who now comes off the bench.

On Jan. 10, the Clippers were 10-point home favourites against Toronto and won 126-120 thanks to outscoring the Dinos by seven in the fourth. Leonard, who agreed to his contract extension earlier that day, and George each had 29 points. Immanuel Quickley led Toronto with 25 points.

The Raptors lead the all-time series 29-26 despite having lost the past three. They are 17-10 at home. The teams have split the past 10 overall ATS. 

Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers enter on a three-game winning streak and have just two losses in their past 13 as they chase the top spot in the Western Conference. Former Raptor Kawhi Leonard had only his second career triple-double in Tuesday’s 127-116 win over the Lakers with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists. Fellow All-Star Paul George was bothered by a left groin issue late in the game. He had 17 points. George is questionable for Friday and that’s obviously significant as he averages 23.5 points, 5.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals per game – numbers that are nearly identical to what Kawhi averages. Even if George sits, don’t expect Sixth Man and another former Raptor Norman Powell to start as the team generally prefers his role as a reserve; although that the game is in Toronto as a sort of homecoming for Powell might change Coach Ty Lue’s mind. Thanks in part to Powell, the Clippers lead the NBA in three-point shooting at 40.1 per cent. They remain without starting centre Ivica Zubac due to injury. L.A. is 4-1 ATS in its past five. 

Toronto Raptors

We projected the Raptors to win by eight at home against an incredibly short-handed Memphis Grizzlies team on Monday and instead it was a 108-100 loss for the Dinos, their third in a row and seventh defeat in the past eight games. Usually high-scoring Toronto didn’t reach 30 points in any quarter and made only eight three-pointers. If not for finishing 22-for-23 from free-throw line, it wouldn’t have been that close for Toronto. RJ Barrett (29) and Scottie Barnes (22) combined for 51 points, but the other three starters just 14. Immanuel Quickley had eight points and 10 assists but will not play Friday due to a right thigh bruise that kept him out of practice Thursday. Centre Jakob Poeltl is getting close to a return from his injury absence, but it won’t be Friday. Following this game, the Raptors head out on a six-game trip, tied for their longest of the season. Toronto is 1-5 ATS in its past six games. 

NBA Prediction: Who Will Win Clippers vs. Raptors?

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Clippers Team Leaders

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 23.72
Assists	James Harden 8.53
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 9.21
FG%	Ivica Zubac 64.9
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 1.63
Blocks	Ivica Zubac 1.22

TOR

Points	RJ Barrett 21.75
Assists	Immanuel Quickley 6.76
Rebounds	Jakob Poeltl 8.58
FG%	Jakob Poeltl 65.6
Steals	Kobi Simmons 1.5
Blocks	Mouhamadou Gueye 1.64

LAC

Points	James Harden 21.17
Assists	James Harden 8
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 9.33
FG%	Daniel Theis 100
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 2
Blocks	James Harden 1

TOR

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

• Regular Season
• Playoffs

Raptors Team Leaders

LAC

Points	Kawhi Leonard 23.72
Assists	James Harden 8.53
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 9.21
FG%	Ivica Zubac 64.9
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 1.63
Blocks	Ivica Zubac 1.22

TOR

Points	RJ Barrett 21.75
Assists	Immanuel Quickley 6.76
Rebounds	Jakob Poeltl 8.58
FG%	Jakob Poeltl 65.6
Steals	Kobi Simmons 1.5
Blocks	Mouhamadou Gueye 1.64

LAC

Points	James Harden 21.17
Assists	James Harden 8
Rebounds	Ivica Zubac 9.33
FG%	Daniel Theis 100
Steals	Kawhi Leonard 2
Blocks	James Harden 1

TOR

Points
Assists
Rebounds	Did not qualify
FG%
Steals
Blocks

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

Terance Mann (SG)

prob Fri Leg - 02 / 05 / 24

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Out Sun Rest - 14 / 04 / 24

James Harden (SG)

Prob Sun Knee - 13 / 04 / 24

Moussa Diabate (PF)

Prob Fri Hand - 10 / 04 / 24

Russell Westbrook (PG)

Prob Fri Hand - 10 / 04 / 24

Ivica Zubac (C)

Prob Wed Ankle - 10 / 04 / 24

Jordan Miller (SG)

Prob Fri Thumb - 10 / 04 / 24

James Harden (SG)

Prob Fri Foot - 09 / 04 / 24

James Harden (SG)

Prob Sun Foot - 07 / 04 / 24

Daniel Theis (PF)

Ques Wed Thumb - 07 / 04 / 24

Toronto

RJ Barrett (SF)

Out Sun Knee - 14 / 04 / 24

Mouhamadou Gueye (PF)

Out Sun Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24

Immanuel Quickley (SG)

Out Sun Hip - 13 / 04 / 24

Gary Trent Jr. (SG)

Ques Fri Back - 10 / 04 / 24

RJ Barrett (SF)

Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24

Bruce Brown (PG)

Ques Fri Knee - 10 / 04 / 24

Jordan Nwora (PF)

Prob Wed Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 24

Kelly Olynyk (PF)

Out Wed Rest - 10 / 04 / 24

Immanuel Quickley (SG)

Out Tues Rest - 08 / 04 / 24

Gradey Dick (SG)

Prob Wed Groin - 07 / 04 / 24

Injuries

L.A. Clippers

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Terance Mann (SG)	prob Fri	Leg - 02 / 05 / 24	1-1	2-0	+ -
Mann is nursing a right lower-leg contusion, but it is projected that he will be active prior to Friday's showdown verses the Mavericks.
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Out Sun	Rest - 14 / 04 / 24	2-5	2-5	+ -
Westbrook will not dress for Sunday's clash versus the Rockets as he will receive a day of rest.
James Harden (SG)	Prob Sun	Knee - 13 / 04 / 24	2-6	3-5	+ -
Harden is tending to right knee soreness, but it is expected that he will play against the Mavericks in Game 1 of the Western Conference first round.
Moussa Diabate (PF)	Prob Fri	Hand - 10 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Diabate missed the last game managing a hand injury, but he is likely to take on the Jazz on Friday.
Russell Westbrook (PG)	Prob Fri	Hand - 10 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Westbrook missed the last game due to a left hand contusion, but he is expected to partake in Friday's showdown with the Jazz.
Ivica Zubac (C)	Prob Wed	Ankle - 10 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Zubac is dealing with left ankle inflammation, but it is anticipated that he will be available for Wednesday's matchup with the Suns.
Jordan Miller (SG)	Prob Fri	Thumb - 10 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Miller was absent from the last match with a thumb ailment, but it is anticipated that he will be a participant in Friday's showdown versus the Jazz.
James Harden (SG)	Prob Fri	Foot - 09 / 04 / 24	3-7	4-6	+ -
Harden has missed the last two games due to right foot soreness, but it is projected that he will lace up on Friday against the Jazz.
James Harden (SG)	Prob Sun	Foot - 07 / 04 / 24	4-7	5-6	+ -
Harden is bothered by right foot soreness, but it is expected that he will be in Sunday's lineup versus the Cavaliers.
Daniel Theis (PF)	Ques Wed	Thumb - 07 / 04 / 24	4-7	5-6	+ -
Theis has missed the last two games with a left thumb sprain, and it is undetermined if he will take the floor against the Suns on Wednesday.

Toronto

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
RJ Barrett (SF)	Out Sun	Knee - 14 / 04 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Barrett is bothered by knee soreness, and he will not battle the Heat on Sunday.
Mouhamadou Gueye (PF)	Out Sun	Thumb - 13 / 04 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Gueye is hampered by a right thumb sprain, and he will not take on the Heat in Sunday's showdown.
Immanuel Quickley (SG)	Out Sun	Hip - 13 / 04 / 24	0-1	1-0	+ -
Quickley is laid up with a left adductor strain, and he will not participate in Sunday's tilt against the Heat.
Gary Trent Jr. (SG)	Ques Fri	Back - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Trent Jr. was held out of the last contest due to back spasms, and it is undetermined if he will take on the Heat on Friday.
RJ Barrett (SF)	Out Wed	Rest - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Barrett will not partake in Wednesday's showdown versus the Nets as he will be given a day of rest.
Bruce Brown (PG)	Ques Fri	Knee - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Brown sat out the previous game with right knee inflammation, and it is unknown if he will face the Heat on Friday.
Jordan Nwora (PF)	Prob Wed	Undisclosed - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Nwora exited the previous game with an undefined issue, but it is projected that he will dress for Wednesday's matchup with the Nets.
Kelly Olynyk (PF)	Out Wed	Rest - 10 / 04 / 24	1-2	2-1	+ -
Olynyk will not be available for Wednesday's clash with the Nets as he will receive a day of rest.
Immanuel Quickley (SG)	Out Tues	Rest - 08 / 04 / 24	2-2	3-1	+ -
Quickley will not be active for Tuesday's clash with the Pacers as he will be given a day of rest.
Gradey Dick (SG)	Prob Wed	Groin - 07 / 04 / 24	3-2	3-2	+ -
Dick missed the last game with a right groin contusion, but it is projected that he will line up against the Nets on Wednesday.