The Golden State Warriors (17-2) travel to Staples Center Sunday to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (11-8). Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Warriors at Clippers odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.
The Warriors are the second-hottest team in the NBA and the only team without at least three losses.
They’ve been on fire behind two-time MVP Stephen Curry. Draymond Green has also re-established himself as one of the best players in the Association.
It has really been the team’s bench that has elevated their level of play. Golden State is 14-4-1 against the spread. They took down the Clippers 115-113 at the Chase Center earlier this season.
Paul George had 29 while Curry dropped 45. The Clippers have been solid this season behind their improved defense, led by Eric Bledsoe and George. They’re 9-10 against the spread.
Warriors at Clippers odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:00 a.m. ET.
- Money line: Warriors -145 (bet $145 to win $100) | Clippers +120 (bet $100 to win $120)
- Against the spread (ATS): Warriors -2.5 (-120) | Clippers +2.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 214.5 (O: -107 | U: -115)
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Warriors at Clippers key injuries
Warriors
- G Klay Thompson (Achilles) out
- C James Wiseman (knee) out
- F Andre Iguodala (knee) out
- G Damion Lee (personal) out
Clippers
- F Nicolas Batum (health and safety protocols) out
-
F Kawhi Leonard (knee) out
Warriors at Clippers odds, lines, picks and predictions
Prediction
Warriors 106, Clippers 104
Money line
PASS on the money line play here.
The Warriors have been far too good to bet against, even though I do like the Clippers’ defense coupled with the weaknesses due to injuries for the Warriors.
Nonetheless, I’m not taking either side of this one.
Against the spread
BET the CLIPPERS +2.5 (-105) as they played the Warriors close last time and only lost by two despite Curry dropping 45. They should have a better plan to lock him up, although that’s relatively impossible.
The Clippers have also been a strong side at home at 9-4. They have the league’s second-best defensive rating, and the Warriors and Clippers are the only teams to have home defensive ratings under 100.
Los Angeles also holds teams to the worst free-throw attempt rate. They just defend without fouling, and as long as they can make others than Curry beat them, I like their odds in this one.
Over/Under
“LEAN” to the UNDER 214.5 (-108) as these are the two best defenses in the NBA.
They rank No. 1 and No. 2 in defensive rating. The Warriors shoot the third-most threes per game while the Clippers hold their opponents to the sixth-worst shooting percentage from deep.
This should be a defensive battle, or at least a game that has several top-tier defenders. With that in mind, I only “lean” here because of the star power and play-making on both sides.
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