Clippers return to underdog role

Blame it on injuries, poor coaching or simply bad luck, but the Clippers have returned to their role as underdog specialists for Las Vegas oddsmakers this season.

Sporting a dismal 10-22 overall record, the Clippers have been tagged as a favorite only five times this season and once since Dec. 5.

When the Clippers have been a favorite, it usually has been against a low-level team playing on the road. That was the case the last time the Clippers were favored in a game, a Dec. 31 showdown against 5-29 Minnesota at Staples Center.

The underdog role has made the Clippers a respectable pick against the spread. Heading into Saturday’s game against Dallas, the Clippers are 14-18 against the spread, including 4-3 in their last seven games. They have also been a strong pick for over/under bettors. In 32 Clippers games, the under is 21-11.

--

Other popular NBA underdog picks for oddsmakers have been the Seattle SuperSonics and Minnesota Timberwolves.

Seattle, 9-26 overall, has been favored in only two games, including once at home against the Clippers. Minnesota also has been favored only twice, including a home game against the SuperSonics.

Final NBA note: Sacramento may be a sub-.500 team at 13-20, but the Kings have been a strong choice for bettors with a 19-14 record against the spread.

Pro football

Solid money can be won by playing a variety of future odds bets available at Bodoglife.com. Here are a few listed:

Odds to win Super Bowl XLII: New England (2-3), Indianapolis (11-2), Dallas (6-1), Green Bay (9-1), Jacksonville and San Diego (12-1), Seattle (25-1), New York Giants (30-1).

Odds to win NFC championship: Dallas (4-5), Green Bay (9-5), Seattle (6-1), New York Giants (7-1). Odds to win AFC championship: New England (4-9), Indianapolis (3-1), Jacksonville (7-1), San Diego (8-1).

Most passing yards in the divisional playoffs: Tom Brady (6-5), Tony Romo (7-2), Brett Favre (5-1), Peyton Manning (5-1), Matt Hasselbeck (7-1), Eli Manning (9-1), Philip Rivers (15-1), David Garrard (20-1).

Will a road team win a game this weekend? Yes (+300) or No (-400). How many road teams will win this week? zero (1-4), one (2-1), two (3-1), three (10-1) or four (20-1).

--

lonnie.white@latimes.com