Warriors vs. Clippers Point Spread: NBA Odds, Prediction
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Andrew Rogers
Not only is superstar point guard Steph Curry tabbed to miss the game with a groin injury, but versatile forward Draymond Green is questionable after missing the previous two contests with a sprained right toe. Curry and Green are responsible for nearly half of the Warriors’ 30.5 assists per game.
NBA Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Warriors are slight favourites in this one despite the absence of Curry and potential absence of Green; backup point guard Shaun Livingston might also sit out as he nurses an injured right foot. And they could be in tough against a Clippers team that has been surprisingly competitive this season, having covered its previous five home games while going 6-1 ATS in their past seven contests against Pacific Division opponents.
Even with Curry out and Green questionable, the total for this one still the highest on Monday’s slate at 232 – though it has fallen nearly five points from its 236.5 opener. Golden State has gone 4-1 O/U in its past five road games, but has converted the under 18 times in its last 26 against the West. The Clippers, on the other hand, are a sizzling 8-1-1 O/U in their past 10 against West foes. The teams have also gone above the total in seven straight meetings.
Golden State Warriors
So who will take over the distributor role with Curry out and Green possibly missing the game? The task will likely fall on No. 3 point guard Quinn Cook – who had 27 points and five assists in his previous start – and superstar forward Kevin Durant, who has averaged 7.3 assists so far in November and is at 6.5 for the season. He dished out 11 assists with Curry out in the Warriors’ 116-100 victory over the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday.
LA Clippers
No Chris Paul, Blake Griffin or DeAndre Jordan? No problem so far for Los Angeles, which has emerged as one of the highest-scoring teams in the early stages of the season despite lacking a basket-filling superstar. The Clippers have been led by the talented triumvirate of Tobias Harris, Danilo Gallinari and Lou Williams, who have combined to average 58.7 points; they all shoot 38 percent or better from 3-point range, as well.
