The set-up: The 27-42 NY Knicks clinched the franchise's fourth straight losing season with last Thursday's 121-110 home loss to the NBA-worst Brooklyn Nets. They have been off since that game but open a four-game road trip Monday night in LA against the Clippers. The 41-29 Clippers have been battling the Jazz for the No. 4 seed in the West (currently sit two games back of Utah) but LA now has to also worry about the fighting off the OKC Thunder, who have closed withing a half-game of the Clippers for the No. 5 seed by winning five in a row.

NY Knicks: New York head coach Jeff Hornacek insists that he is still trying to win games and All-Star Carmelo Anthony (22.9 & 6.0) is still logging heavy minutes. However, the losses keep piling up. The Knicks have lost four of their last five games and Kristaps Porzingis (18.0 & 7.2) opens the road trip listed as day-to-day due to a thigh contusion, although Newsday says he is expected to play (he practiced Sunday). The Knicks are just 11-24 SU on the road but a more respectable 16-19 ATS.

LA Clippers: The Clippers had lost three in a row before the Cavs 'handed' them a 108-78 win Saturday night, resting LBJ, Irving and Love. "I'd like to thank (Cleveland coach) Ty Lue," Los Angeles coach Doc Rivers told reporters after the win. "That was very nice of him tonight."The problem is, this sort of thing is beginning to wear thin. The Clippers are just 6-8 since the All-Star break, so getting a home game against the Knicks is a welcome sight. Los Angeles has won nine in a row over the Knicks, including the last four meetings at Staples Center.

The pick: This over/under number is fairly high considering the Clippers are allowing just 100.8 PPG at home this season. Let's also note that excluding the Knicks' two games against the Nets in their last five, they've scored 93, 92 and 87 points in the other three contests. The Under is a 10* play.