Clippers haven’t been a money bet

The Clippers began the season with four consecutive victories against the spread but since then, they’ve been anything but a money bet.

Hampered by an injury trend that has sidelined a variety of players -- from Corey Maggette to Sam Cassell -- the Clippers have failed to cover the spread in eight of their last nine games heading into tonight’s matchup against Denver.

The Clippers will have the role of road underdog, the seventh consecutive game that they have failed to be favored by oddsmakers.

The last time Las Vegas gave the Clippers the nod was against the New York Knicks on Nov. 14 at Staples Center. The Clippers won, 84-81, but failed to cover as seven-point favorites.

Last note: After playing the Nuggets tonight and playing host to Indiana on Sunday, the Clippers will play four consecutive sub-500 teams and could have Cassell -- sidelined because of a calf injury -- back in the lineup.

Another plus for the Clippers has been the play of center Chris Kaman, who has 10 double-doubles in points and rebounds. Kaman had 14 double-doubles in 75 games last season.

San Antonio may be the defending NBA champion, but the Spurs have been average at best against the spread in the first month of the season.

Despite winning 13 of their first 16 games, the Spurs are 8-7-1 against the spread heading into their game at Minnesota tonight.

College football

After finishing with a disappointing 4-8 record last season, Fresno State has bounced back with a respectable 2007 and is headed back to a postseason bowl game.

The Bulldogs (7-4) have an opportunity to double their victory total from last season when they play a team they have never lost to -- New Mexico State (4-8).

Fresno State is listed as a 12 1/2 -point road favorite over the Aggies, who are 0-13 against the Bulldogs.

And if Fresno State needed any more positive trends for tonight, the Bulldogs are 4-1 against the spread in their last five road games and 11-5 against the spread in their last 16 games against a team with a losing record.

College basketball

Second-ranked UCLA, which received a boost this week with the return of guard Darren Collison, is listed as a 1-2 favorite to win the Pacific 10 Conference regular-season title, according to Bodoglife.com. USC is listed at 7-2, followed by Oregon at 9-2, Washington State at 5-1 and Arizona at 6-1.

lonnie.white@latimes.com