Warriors vs Clippers NBA Prediction, Pick and Preview 03/02/23

Odds

2022-2023 season stats

Preview

The Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers are set to face off on Thursday, March 3rd at the Chase Center in San Francisco. Both teams are currently in the midst of a highly competitive playoff race, with only a few games separating them in the Western Conference standings. The Warriors come into the game with a 32-30 record, while the Clippers are just ahead of them with a 33-31 record. With only a handful of games left in the regular season, every win is crucial, and both teams will be looking to come out on top in what is sure to be an intense battle.

Golden State Warriors

The Golden State Warriors have been up and down this season, struggling with injuries to key players, including superstar Steph Curry. Despite these challenges, the team has remained competitive and currently sits in the sixth seed in the Western Conference. They have been on a bit of a hot streak lately, winning six of their last ten games, including four in a row at home. However, they will face a tough test against the Clippers, a team that has already beaten them twice this season.

Offensively, the Warriors are led by Klay Thompson, who has been on a tear since returning from injury. Over the last ten games, he has averaged 21.1 points per game and has been shooting an impressive 47.7% from the field. The team also relies heavily on Draymond Green, who is a key playmaker and has been averaging 7.2 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game this season. However, without Curry in the lineup, the team has struggled to find consistent scoring, especially in close games. They have a 3-6 record in games decided by three points or fewer, which could be a concern against a team as talented as the Clippers.

Defensively, the Warriors are one of the best teams in the league. They rank second in the league in defensive rating, allowing only 107.4 points per 100 possessions. They also rank in the top five in blocks and steals per game, which is a testament to their tenacious and aggressive defensive style. They will need to bring this same intensity against the Clippers, who have a potent offensive attack.

Los Angeles Clippers

The Los Angeles Clippers are coming off a disappointing loss to the Milwaukee Bucks but are still in a solid position in the Western Conference standings. They currently sit in the fifth seed and are just one game back of the fourth seed. The team has had some ups and downs this season, but they are still one of the most talented teams in the league, led by stars Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.

Offensively, the Clippers are one of the best teams in the league. They rank third in the league in offensive rating, averaging 116.3 points per 100 possessions. They also shoot the ball extremely well from beyond the arc, ranking third in the league in three-point percentage at 38.1%. Leonard has been on a tear lately, averaging 24.2 points per game over the last ten games. However, the team also has a number of other players who can score at will, including Reggie Jackson, Marcus Morris Sr., and Nicolas Batum.

Defensively, the Clippers are a bit of a mixed bag. They rank in the middle of the league in defensive rating, allowing 110.5 points per 100 possessions. They also struggle with rebounding, ranking in the bottom ten in the league in rebounds per game. However, they make up for this with their ability to force turnovers, ranking in the top five in steals per game. Against the Warriors, they will need to be strong defensively, especially against players like Thompson and Green, who can make a big impact on the game with their playmaking abilities.

BETTING TRENDS

The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games.

Golden State are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games against LA Clippers.

The total has gone OVER in 16 of Golden State's last 18 games on the road.

Golden State are 12-4 SU in their last 16 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers.

The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Clippers' last 6 games.

LA Clippers are 8-4 SU in their last 12 games.

The total has gone UNDER in 13 of LA Clippers' last 17 games at home.

Prediction

The Clippers have a potent offense, with multiple players who can score at will, and are especially deadly from beyond the arc. The Warriors, on the other hand, have struggled to find consistent scoring without Curry in the lineup.

Defensively, the Clippers have some weaknesses, particularly in rebounding, but they make up for this with their ability to force turnovers. Against a Warriors team that struggles in close games, this could be a key advantage for the Clippers.

In addition, the Clippers have already beaten the Warriors twice this season, including a 134-124 win in their last meeting. Kawhi Leonard had a huge game in that matchup, scoring 33 points, and the Clippers' three-point shooting was on full display, with the team hitting 15 threes in the game.

Overall, the Clippers have more firepower and are better equipped to win a close game than the Warriors. While the Warriors have a strong defense, they may struggle to keep up with the Clippers' offensive output, especially without Curry in the lineup. Therefore, expect the Clippers to win this game and cover the spread..

PICK: Clippers -8 (-110)

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