Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Betting Odds, Analysis, NBA Pick
The Los Angeles Clippers (31-18) will attempt to end an eight-game series skid against the Golden State Warriors (42-7) on Thursday as big home underdogs.
Not only that, but the short-handed Clippers will also be looking to avenge an embarrassing 144-98 loss at Golden State as 13-point road dogs last Saturday on national television.
Point spread: The Warriors opened as 10-point favorites; the total is at 224.5, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark (line updates and matchup report).
NBA pick, via OddsShark computer: 123-104 Warriors (NBA picks on every game.)
Why the Warriors can cover the spread
The Warriors are not worried about the revenge factor heading into the second meeting with Los Angeles in six days. They have dominated the Clippers during their series winning streak, going 5-3 against the spread, with three consecutive victories by an average of more than 26 points.
Golden State is coming off an easy 126-111 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Wednesday behind a game-high 39 points from Stephen Curry, who connected on 11 of 15 three-point attempts in just 30 minutes of action. No Warrior played more than 33 minutes, so the team should be well-rested here.
Why the Clippers can cover the spread
Los Angeles rebounded nicely from its brutal loss at Golden State with a 124-114 victory against the Phoenix Suns as a 2.5-point road favorite Wednesday. Blake Griffin tied his season high with 29 points vs. the Suns in his third game back, gradually getting better to help pick up the slack with Chris Paul out following thumb surgery.
Griffin played just 23 minutes in the last meeting with the Warriors and still totaled 20 points, and he should be an even bigger factor in the rematch at home.
Smart pick
The Clippers have lost three in a row when playing the second game of a back-to-back situation, but they had won five straight under that scenario prior to that. The problem is Golden State has won six consecutive games and 18 of 20 in that same situation.
Fortunately for Los Angeles, the Warriors have failed to cover the spread at online gambling sites in their last three, with each of those games decided by eight points or less. The Clippers will be able to keep that trend going and cover in what will be a much closer matchup.
Betting trends
Golden State is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games.
The total has gone under in seven of Golden State's last nine games.
Los Angeles is 2-4 ATS in its last six games
All NBA lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.
