The set-up: I base my picks on many things, but I usually base my O/U releases on trends and the overall "situation" that each club finds itself in coming into that particular contest. Scheduling and other external factors are also things I look closely at. In this case, I think this is a great situational play on the "over." New York won't be lacking for motviation here. The Knicks are off back-to-back losses and have another tough game here two nights from now against an equally as "hungry" Lakers team. New York has mustered just 97 and 105 points over its last two games, so I expect a much faster pace from the visiting side as it look to snap the slide.

The pick: And for LA, it's seen the total go "under" the number in seven straight. That's helped in driving this total a little bit lower than it normally should for sure. The Clippers have not been playing well of late, but off a confidence-building 118-94 win over the Lakers last time out, and with the remaining of their schedule to finish the regular season on the road after tonight, we can expect the home side to lay the foot on the gas from start to finish. Finally, note that LA has seen the total go "over" in seven of its last ten after playing to five or more "unders" in a row. This number is a little low.

This is a 10* TOTAL PLAY-BOOK on the OVER Knicks/Clippers.