LAS VEGAS -- The Clippers gave the Spurs quite an answer in Game 4, and the most compelling series of the first round of the NBA Playoffs is now squared up at 2-2. The series shifts back to L.A. on Tuesday night for Game 5 (10:30 p.m. ET, TNT). Before that, the Mavs are back in Houston after avoiding the sweep against the Rockets (8 p.m. ET, TNT).
Game 5 line: Clippers -2, Total: 205
The Clippers took back home court advantage by getting its offense back on track in Game 4. L.A. scored 41 more points in Game 4's 114-105 victory than it did in Game 3. San Antonio certainly didn't play a bad game on Sunday, but the Spurs were simply outplayed by the Clips.
Los Angeles got help from an unlikely hero, the coach's son. Austin Rivers was out of his mind and hit 7-of-8 shots from the field. This bench is a gaping hole in the Clippers championship hopes, but if they get one guy to contribute each night it would be a huge help. Veteran Glen Davis also had one of the best games a player can have while contributing only 2 points to the box score.
Everything about this series is tied. Besides the straight-up wins, the ATS records are even, both teams won one at home and one away, and each has covered as a favorite and a dog. Good luck, everybody.
The total also doesn't know what to do with itself. Game 1 closed at 208 while Game 4 got as low as 199.5 leading up to Sunday. Oh yeah, the OVER/UNDER record for this series is 2-2.
This is how the playoffs should be and quite frankly, maybe neither team has an edge. However, to give it a shot, the Clippers have been the better team in three games with one anomaly. Remember, off of a steal, Blake Griffin had an odd turnover with 13 seconds left in Game 2. Instead of going up by 4, the Spurs tied it and won in OT.
The Linemakers' lean: While Kenny White made the line of this game Clippers -5, he's seeing a better opportunity with the total. Gregg Popovich knows the pace must be slow for his team to have success, so the Spurs will keep things as methodical as possible. UNDER 205 is our play.
For our complete NBA betting preview for Tuesday, which includes a pick in Mavs-Rockets, head to The Linemakers on Sporting News .
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