Los Angeles Clippers As Favorite Betting Trend

The Clippers' struggles as favorites stem from a fundamental identity crisis that has plagued the franchise for decades. This organization has historically been built around overachieving and playing with a chip on their shoulder, making them naturally suited for underdog roles where they can rely on grit and determination. When installed as favorites, particularly in the Paul-Griffin era and beyond, the team often plays down to competition and lacks the killer instinct needed to cover spreads against inferior opponents. The franchise's psychological makeup compounds this issue. Years of being overshadowed by the Lakers created a mentality where the Clippers thrive when expectations are low but crumble under the weight of being expected to dominate. Their coaching staffs have frequently emphasized defensive intensity and hustle as equalizers, strategies that work better when hunting than when being hunted. The team's roster construction often features players who excel in complementary roles rather than alpha personalities who can impose their will consistently. This creates a ceiling effect where they struggle to separate from weaker opponents, leading to narrow wins that fail to cover inflated spreads. This trend becomes most critical when the Clippers are favored by significant margins at home against rebuilding teams, where complacency historically strikes hardest.