Golden State Warriors Vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Predictions, Starting Lineups (12/14/23)
Can the Golden State Warriors turn their season around against the Los Angeles Clippers tonight after dropping 11 of their past 15 games? See our Golden State Warriors vs. Los Angeles Clippers predictions, betting picks, and analysis for this matchup below!
Golden State Warriors Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction
Don’t be surprised if Steph Curry isn’t jamming out to Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” right now, as the Warriors continue to tumble and self-implode; they have lost four of their past six games (and 11 of their past 15) and are sitting in 11th place in an uber-competitive Western Conference. Further, after punching Jusuf Nurkic in the face in the middle of a game, Draymond Green faces an indefinite suspension, which makes matters worse for a team that heavily relies on him to be a screener and passer offensively and a versatile interior force defensively.
Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers are on an absolute roll since losing their first five games after the James Harden trade; they have since won 10 of their past 13 games, propelling them into eighth place in the West. Los Angeles is now merely one game out of fifth place and in a terrific position for the rest of the season.
The main catalyst for this shift in play and efficiency on both ends of the floor for the Clips was, of course, Russell Westbrook selflessly deciding that it might be best for the team if he were to come off the bench. Terance Mann has stepped into a starting spot, and the Clippers have since been on fire. Westbrook has still been an integral part of the second unit, giving Los Angeles the necessary depth to extend leads while opposing teams play their bench guys.
Even so, it would not shock us if Golden State kept this game close; Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Jonathan Kuminga have played extremely well in the past few games, giving Golden State much-needed help off the bench. In Podziemski’s past five games, he has averaged 12 points, 7.2 rebounds, and three assists on 53% shooting from the field and 50% from behind the arc.
Moody has posted close to 12 points, as well, boasting a 49/39/82 shooting split in the past six games. Even Jonathan Kuminga has been fabulous in back-to-back games, posting an average of 20 points and nine rebounds per game on 16-31 shooting from the field and 4-9 shooting from three.
Golden State has a 6-2 record against the spread as an away underdog and 5.5 points is a fairly substantial number for this one, especially since the Clippers are 1-4 ATS as -4 to -7 favorites this season. Further, when Golden State has gotten that many points (+4 to +7) this season as a dog, it is 2-0 ATS.
While Los Angeles is our pick to squeak out a win and improve to a 10-3 home record, the Dubs still have enough firepower to keep this one close.
Golden State Warriors Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Prediction: Warriors +5.5
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Golden State Warriors Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Best Odds
The Los Angeles Clippers are 5.5-point home favorites against a sinking Warriors squad that will be without their best defender and secondary facilitator (Green.) Golden State has Moneyline odds of +205 to upset the red-hot Clips, while Los Angeles is a heavy -250 favorite to win outright. The point total is at 231 points, with -110 odds for both the Over and the Under.
Golden State Warriors Starting Lineup
PG: Steph Curry
SG: Klay Thompson
SF: Andrew Wiggins
PF: Jonathan Kuminga
C: Kevon Looney
Los Angeles Clippers Starting Lineup
PG: James Harden
SG: Terance Mann
SF: Paul George
PF: Kawhi Leonard
C: Ivica Zubac
Golden State Warriors Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Injuries
The Golden State Warriors will be a bit shorthanded for their matchup against the Clippers, with Draymond Green (indefinite suspension) and Gary Payton II (calf) set to miss this bout. On the other hand, the Clippers will be without Moussa Diabate (hip) and Mason Plumlee (knee), while Paul George (groin), Joshua Primo, and Brandon Boston Jr. (illness) are questionable and will more than likely be game-time decisions.
Golden State Warriors Vs. Los Angeles Clippers Betting Picks
The Golden State Warriors’ defense was already suspect this season, but the loss of Draymond Green could sink them. James Harden will be one of the immediate beneficiaries of his absence.
This season, the Warriors have allowed the sixth-most points to opposing point guards, evidencing their struggle to defend the point of attack. Harden has hit this line in five of his past seven games overall and is shooting 46.2% from the floor and 39.4% from deep this season.
Further, the Warriors have struggled to defend without fouling this season, ranking 28th in fouls per game, with just short of 23 on average. Harden hunts fouls and loves to live at the free-throw line, so expect him to pick up some easy ones throughout the game.
Our Pick: James Harden Over 17.5 Points (-120)
