The 2025-26 VSiN NBA Betting Guide was released on Tuesday, October 7. The 79-page publication features best bets from our talented VSiN hosts and analysts, betting strategy advice from Jonathan Von Tobel and Kelley Bydlon, and trends/insights from Steve Makinen. The guide also features team-by-team previews for all 30 NBA teams, including one on the Los Angeles Clippers. Keep reading to see how we think the Clippers will do compared to their regular season win total of 47.5.
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Offense
The Clippers were embarrassed in the postseason, essentially no-showing a Game 7 in Denver. Still, the year wasn’t a total loss. Kawhi Leonard was the big question mark after missing the end of the 2023-24 with a knee injury that also cost him the Olympics. By managing him carefully, Los Angeles got him back to playing like his superstar self. Leonard averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 boards, and 3.1 assists on 49.8/41.1/81.0 splits during the regular season — and he was even better in the playoffs, putting up 25.0, 7.6, and 4.7 on 53.7% shooting against the Nuggets.
The fact that Leonard was healthy and thriving late in the year fuels optimism for 2025-26. He had a full summer of unrestricted work on his body and game, which means the Clippers can again lean on one of the league’s most efficient three-level scorers — unless Pablo Torre finds out a way to take him down.
James Harden returns as Leonard’s co-star. At 36, his postseason struggles remain, but he still averaged 22.8 points, 8.7 assists, and 5.8 rebounds in the regular season. His partnership with Ivica Zubac is central to Tyronn Lue’s offense. Zubac averaged 16.8 and 12.6 last year, finishing everything Harden dropped off and dominating as a roller.
Two new faces, Bradley Beal and John Collins, give the starting group even more punch. Beal was redundant with Devin Booker in Phoenix, but he still shot 49.7% from the field and 38.6% from three. Collins quietly had a strong year in Utah, hitting nearly 40% from deep and posting positive advanced metrics on a 17-win team. He can pop or roll, giving Harden and Leonard another versatile teammate in the frontcourt.
The bench might be the deepest in basketball. Kris Dunn, Derrick Jones Jr., Nicolas Batum, and Bogdan Bogdanovic all return. Jones is now respectable from three and remains an elite athlete. Batum spaces the floor and makes smart decisions. Bogdanovic is a proven scorer who can give second units hell.
The Clippers also added two big-time veterans: Chris Paul and Brook Lopez. Paul, one of the best players in franchise history, averaged 8.8 points and 7.4 assists with San Antonio. He’s still one of the smartest players alive and will steady bench groups. Lopez remains one of the best floor-spacing fives in the league, hitting nearly two threes per game in each of the past three seasons. Between Zubac and Lopez, Lue will always have a quality center on the floor.
The only real threat to this offense is a Leonard injury, which is why the Clippers will keep managing him — no matter how much it annoys old-school fans. If Lue can make Beal and Lopez comfortable early, this team should be lights out offensively. They shot 37.3% from deep last year (7th in the NBA), and this roster might shoot it even better.
Defense
Los Angeles is still one of the league’s toughest defenses. Leonard remains a high-level wing stopper, Zubac was a Defensive Player of the Year candidate last season, and both Dunn and Jones bring intense on-ball pressure on the perimeter. Jones is also a dangerous weak-side shot-blocker.
The Clippers finished second in aDRTG (109.2) and third in points allowed per 100 possessions (110.5). They forced 15.0 turnovers per game (10th) and held opponents to 35.5% from three (5th). The priority now is shoring up their rim defense — they allowed 68.2% shooting at the basket last season. Collins and Lopez should provide some help there.
The wild card is integrating Beal and Paul without losing some edge. If Lue can balance rotations and cover for their shortcomings, this group should remain an elite defense.
Outlook
The Clippers won 51 games in 2023-24 and 50 in 2024-25, yet their win total is set at 47.5. It’s puzzling given this is probably the deepest, most talented roster Lue has had.
If they don’t win at least 48, something went seriously wrong. Of course, with this group, that’s always on the table. These players have Charmin Ultra Soft body tissue. But with Leonard, Harden, Zubac, and a stacked bench, the Over feels like the right side.
If not for playoff trust issues, the Clippers would be in the conversation with Oklahoma City, Denver, and Houston. They’re that good on paper.
Prediction: Over 47.5 Wins
