Golden State (1-1) at LA Clippers (1-1)
When: Thursday, April 18th, 2019
Where: Staples Center,
Los Angeles, CA
Time: 10:30 ET | TV: TNT
Opening Odds: Golden State -8/237
You would think shooting 53.3 percent from the field, 40-of-45 from the free throw line, and holding a 31-point third quarter lead would be more than enough to win a basketball game. Well, these are the playoffs and anything can happen – even to the best of teams. The Golden State Warriors look to rebound from a total collapse in Game 2 against the Los Angeles Clippers with Game 3 set for Thursday night at Staples Center. After cruising in Game 1 and looking great for two and a half quarters in Game 2, Steph Curry picked up his fourth foul and had to leave the game. Everything changed from their and Clippers reserve guard Lou Williams stepped in and stepped up in a big way with a game-high 36 points on 13-of-22 shooting and 11 assists in 33 minutes to help lift his team to a historic 135-131 triumph. Golden State dropped to 17-25-1 ATS at home, while the Clippers improved to 24-18-1 ATS away from home. Los Angeles also has a winning record against the spread at Staples Center this season, going 22-19 ATS and 26-15 overall, however, the Warriors tied Milwaukee for the best road record in the league at 27-14. Game 4 will be Sunday in Los Angeles.
One factor that could be key in the rest of this series is the status of Golden State center DeMarcus Cousins, who went down with a quad injury in the first half. The injury appears serious enough to rule Cousins out for the rest of the postseason. Aging veteran center Andrew Bogut logged a season-high 17 minutes off the bench, finishing with three points and nine rebounds and should see similar minutes from here on out, as long as he stays healthy. The Warriors need to do a better job of holding on to the basketball, as the team committed 22 turnovers on Monday with forward Kevin Durant responsible for nine of those. Durant scored 21 in Game 2, while Curry led the team with 29 points including 5-of-11 from beyond the arc.
The Los Angeles came up huge on Monday with not only Williams, but forward Montrezl Harrell logging 33 minutes and making all nine of his shot attempts to finish with 25 points and 10 rebounds. Rookie point guard Landry Shamet hit the go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute and finished 4-of-9 from long range, while recording a team-best +15 rating. L.A. scored 85 points in the second half and shot 56.5 percent from the field overall after scoring 48 second-half points in a 121-104 loss in Game 1. Harrell is averaging 25.5 points on 20-of-24 shooting in the series so far.
The Clippers were great in that second half comeback Monday, but I expect the Warriors to be focused and ready to go for Game 3. The Cousins injury does hurt them a bit, but Golden State still has the offensive firepower to blow teams away – even on the road.
Pick: Warriors -8.5
Warriors are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a straight up loss.
Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS loss.
Warriors are 27-10 ATS in their last 37 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Warriors are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Warriors are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Warriors are 4-14 ATS in their last 18 Thursday games.
Clippers are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 vs. NBA Pacific.
Clippers are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS win.
Clippers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 Conference Quarterfinals games.
Clippers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Clippers are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Clippers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games overall.
Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 vs. Western Conference.
Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Clippers are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 Thursday games.
Clippers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 6-0 in Warriors last 6 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Under is 6-1 in Warriors last 7 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 Thursday games.
Under is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 vs. NBA Pacific.
Under is 11-3 in Warriors last 14 games following a ATS loss.
Under is 7-2 in Warriors last 9 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 13-4 in Warriors last 17 vs. Western Conference.
Under is 16-5 in Warriors last 21 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 24-8-1 in Warriors last 33 games following a straight up loss.
Under is 15-5 in Warriors last 20 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 14-5 in Warriors last 19 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Under is 19-7 in Warriors last 26 overall.
Under is 8-3 in Warriors last 11 road games.
Over is 8-3 in Warriors last 11 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Under is 15-6 in Warriors last 21 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 10-2 in Clippers last 12 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Over is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Clippers last 5 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.
Over is 10-3 in Clippers last 13 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
Over is 11-4 in Clippers last 15 overall.
Over is 11-4 in Clippers last 15 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 games playing on 2 days rest.
Over is 5-2 in Clippers last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Over is 10-4 in Clippers last 14 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 9-4 in Clippers last 13 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
Over is 11-5 in Clippers last 16 Thursday games.
Over is 35-16-2 in Clippers last 53 home games.
Warriors are 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings in LA.
Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in LA.
Over is 10-3 in the last 13 meetings.
Road team is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings.
