Tip-off: Thursday, 10:35 p.m. ET
Line: Los Angeles -11.5, Total: 200.5

The Clippers look to win a third straight game when they host the Nets on Thursday night.

Brooklyn went into Sacramento on Wednesday night and won 103-100 as a 5.5-point road underdog. After not scoring 100+ points during a seven-game stretch from Jan. 4 to Jan. 14, the Nets have reached the century mark twice in the past three games. They have won-and-covered in each of those contests, and will need to continue to be as successful offensively, as their 95.7 PPG (23rd in NBA) is not going to cut it going forward. The Clippers, meanwhile, have now won two straight, and eight of their past 11 contests after a 102-93 victory versus Boston on Monday. Los Angeles was favored by 12 in that game and has now failed to cover the spread in three straight contests. The club averages 106.7 PPG (4th in NBA), so if the Nets aren’t making their shots then they could be in serious trouble. These two teams haven’t played since December 12, 2013, when Brooklyn beat the Clippers 102-93 as a 1-point home underdog. In the past five meetings between these two teams, the Nets are 3-2 SU and 5-0 ATS. Although L.A. has won three straight home meetings SU, Brooklyn is 8-2 ATS in the past 10 meetings overall, including 3-1 ATS at Staples Center. The Clippers won’t be too worried about that, as they are 82-57 ATS at home in January since 1996, but the Nets are 9-0 ATS in road games after playing three straight games as an underdog over the past three seasons. The only significant injury for either team is Brooklyn PG Deron Williams (ribs), who is listed as questionable, but is not expected to play.

Can the Clippers cover the monster spread in their matchup with the Nets? For the answer, connect to The Platinum Sheet for all the Expert picks throughout the entire 2014-15 season. StatFox Forecaster has a strong 56% ATS record (109-87-1) in featured games this season. In terms of Best Bets, the experts have a stellar 70% ATS (52-22) record since Jan. 2, led by StatFox Scott, who is a sizzling 73% ATS (16-6) in Best Bets since Dec. 21, improving his record to 56% ATS (35-27) for the season. StatFox Brian is 63% ATS (25-15) in Best Bets since Nov. 29, and is now 57% ATS (35-27) in season Best Bets, while StatFox Gary is 73% ATS (11-4) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 1, and 58% ATS (36-26) this season. StatFox Zach is 73% ATS (11-4) in NBA Best Bets since Jan. 2, while StatFox Dave is 64% ATS (9-5) since Jan. 2.

The Nets have won two of their past three games and PG Jarrett Jack (11.5 PPG, 4.5 APG) has been excellent while filling in as the team’s starting point guard for injured PG Deron Williams (13.9 PPG, 6.3 APG). Jack had 16 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals in a win over the Kings on Wednesday, and is averaging 17.4 PPG, 7.0 APG and 1.0 SPG in 37.4 MPG over the past five contests. Brooklyn needs Jack to be on top of his game in this one, as he’ll need to hold his own against Chris Paul on both ends of the floor on Thursday. SG Joe Johnson (15.9 PPG, 4.7 RPG) will have a huge advantage over whoever is guarding him on Thursday. The Clippers don’t have anybody near Johnson’s size (6-foot-7, 240 pounds), so the Nets will look to him in the high post often. Johnson is averaging 15.5 PPG in his past two games, and should be able to light up his defenders in this one. C Brook Lopez (15.2 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.7 BPG) has been playing extremely well since his name started to float in a number of trade rumors just about a week ago. The big man had 22 points, six rebounds and six blocks in the win over the Kings, and is now averaging 21.0 PPG, 4.7 RPG and 2.7 BPG over the past three contests. Lopez will need to be active on the glass in this game or DeAndre Jordan will give his team too many second chances for the Nets to pull off a road upset. PF Mason Plumlee (10.3 PPG, 6.8 RPG, 1.0 BPG) must remain disciplined in this game. Plumlee was in foul trouble against the Kings and was limited to just 11 minutes of action. He gives the Nets their best chance to stay close in the rebounding battle, but he will need to stay on the floor.

The Clippers have won two straight games and PF Blake Griffin (23.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 5.0 APG) is starting to look like the guy he was a season ago. Griffin had 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists in a victory over the Celtics on Monday and he’s now averaging 26.0 PPG, 6.6 RPG and 4.2 APG over the past five contests. As long as he is operating around the basket more often, this team will be extremely tough to beat. If Griffin is content just floating around the elbows and taking jump shots, the Nets should be able to stay in this game. PG Chris Paul (17.6 PPG, 9.6 APG, 4.6 RPG, 1.9 SPG) had just nine points, six assists and six rebounds against the Celtics on Monday. Paul is averaging only 12.0 PPG over the past three games, but he is still dishing out 9.7 APG during this timeframe. Los Angeles has been winning, but the team does need Paul to break out of his recent shooting slump (36% FG, 30% threes in past five games). When he is scoring the basketball, everything seems to open up for this offense. Paul should be able to get back on track against the Nets, as his speed will be a big problem for Jarrett Jack. C DeAndre Jordan (10.0 PPG, 13.4 RPG, 2.4 BPG) had 19 points, 12 rebounds and six blocks in the win over the Celtics. His activity on the glass and around the basket will be a big problem for a much slower Brook Lopez and the wild Mason Plumlee. SG Jamal Crawford (15.7 PPG) is averaging 16.8 PPG over the past four games, and should be able to provide this team with a big spark off the bench. With the Nets dealing with a number of injuries, Crawford will be able to control the tempo against Brooklyn’s depleted second unit.