Specialization as it pertains to handicapping the NBA is a solid way to gain an edge over the oddsmakers, and to prove the point I am spending the entire season focusing my efforts solely on the Washington Wizards. I will also be releasing weekly free picks with the use of Doc's Sports Unit Betting System, with the long-term goal of earning a tidy profit betting Wizards' games this year.

Doc's will be posting these free picks on their homepage, so be sure to check the site to follow along with my progress. Washington has already established itself as one of the top teams in the East on the court this season and I remain confident that my Wizards' free picks can also light it up at the betting window.

Washington Wizards Free Picks, Odds and Predictions

Friday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. EST (Verizon Center)

Washington returns home for three games against the Western Conference starting with Friday night's tilt against the Los Angeles Clippers. The tip from the Verizon Center is set for 7 p.m. (ET), and this game will be available on NBA League Pass.

The Clippers have overcome a slower-than-expected start with a nine-game straight up winning streak that has them 16-5 on the year with a stellar 8-2 SU record on the road. They are coming off a 103-96 victory against Indiana this past Wednesday night as 6.5-point road favorites. The total stayed "under" the 199.5-point closing line after going "over" in four of their previous five games.

Washington has stayed hot as well with a 6-1 SU record in its last seven games following Wednesday's 91-89 win over Orlando as a 5.5-point road favorite. However, it was the third straight game where the Wizards failed to cover ATS. They are now 15-6 SU on the year with a 9-12 record ATS. The over on the total line has a slight 11-10 edge in their first 21 games.

Los Angeles at Washington Betting Storylines

Los Angeles was expected to be one of the premier teams in the Western Conference this season, and it is now living up to those lofty expectations behind an offensive effort that is ranked third in the NBA in scoring with 106.9 points a game. The Clippers have also done a good job at the other end of the court by holding teams to 99.4 points a game, which is ranked 12^th in the league.

With star power such as Blake Griffin and Chris Paul in the lineup, it's no big wonder why this team is so good, but the Clippers also have some solid balance and a deep bench to make them one top teams in the league. Los Angeles is shooting 48.4 percent from the field and 38.1 percent from three-point range. The Clippers know how to move the ball around, and they are ranked fifth in the league in assists (24.7). Paul is at the top of that list with 10.1 assists a game.

Washington is another team that has shown good balance and quality depth in its strong start. It is not as nearly dynamic as Los Angeles on the scoreboard with 100.9 points a game, but it does have the edge defensively by holding opponents to just 97.2 points a game. As far as spreading the ball around, the Wizards are the top team in the NBA in assists with 25.8 a game. They also have the edge under the boards with 44 rebounds a game verses 39.7 for the Clippers.

John Wall and Bradley Beal form one of the top backcourts in the NBA. They are averaging a combined 31.8 points a game, and while Wall is shooting 44.1 percent from the field, Beal has been a force from beyond the arc with a 47.7 shooting percentage from three-point range. The roster boasts six players scoring in double figures, and the Wizards as a whole are shooting 47 percent from the floor and 38.3 percent from 3-point range.

Los Angeles at Washington NBA Betting Odds and Key Trends

BetOnline has opened Washington as a three-point home underdog for Friday night's inter-conference clash against the Clippers. The total for the game is set at 202.5.

The Clippers have now covered ATS in six of their last seven games, and they are 4-1 ATS in their last five road games. The total has gone over in four of their last six games overall.

The Wizards are 5-10 ATS in their last 15 home games and 3-6 ATS in their last nine game overall. The total has stayed under in four of their last five games.

Head-to-head in this matchup, Los Angeles is 4-1 SU in its last five road games against the Wizards, and the total has gone over in seven of the last nine games played in Washington.

Los Angeles at Washington Free NBA Picks and Betting Predictions

This will be a great measuring stick for Washington to see just how well it matches up with one of the top teams in the league. While will it will be a huge challenge to come away with a SU win, I do like the Wizards' chances to keep things close in a high-scoring affair. That is why I am going with a moderate 3-Unit play on the over 202.5.

3-Unit Play- Take Los Angeles atWashington OVER 202.5

NBA Regular Season Betting Record: 3-3 (-$210)

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