NBA Basketball
2025-12-03 - LA Clippers at Atlanta Hawks
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : NBA Basketball
Wednesday 3rd December 2025 - Scheduled 7:30pm
12:30am (British Time)
Preview
This has been a miserable opening to the season for the LA Clippers (5-16) and the rumours are that the veterans that were supposed to push them towards a NBA Championship are now on the trading block.
The defeat on Monday at the Miami Heat makes it five losses in a row for the Clippers and that has added to what has been the worst start to a season in fifteen years.
A road trip continues for the Clippers, but surprising news was announced around Chris Paul- this is the veteran's last season in the NBA and he has been cut from the team as everyone looks for some positive solutions. This only speeds up likely talks around James Harden and oft-injured Kawhi Leonard with the team travelling in a negative direction.
You have to feel this is a pretty good time for the Atlanta Hawks (13-9) to host the Clippers having won four of five games before the single point loss to the Detroit Pistons. Young players have flourished through the current injuries being dealt with by the Hawks and there is momentum and chemistry that has been built up by the team.
Credit has to be given to the Atlanta Hawks for not unravelling without injured Trae Young, who has been rumoured to be in some trade discussions in recent times. The way the rest of the roster have stepped up may have the Hawks more willing to listen to offers for Young, although that may have to wait until the end of the season with the player having missed significant time already in this campaign.
Atlanta will be chasing a third home win in a row and they have been in really good form right now, which may be enough of an edge against a potentially distracted Clippers team.
Dismissing this veteran LA team completely would be a mistake with players capable of taking over any game, but the Chris Paul news has to have everyone on the roster wondering what is coming next. This is far from an ideal way to clear the mind in anticipation for the next game, even if the Hawks have already left the City of Angels with a win, and the home team may have enough about them to cover this spread.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite.
The Pick :
Atlanta Hawks 116-110 LA Clippers
