The Golden State Warriors (10-2) and Los Angeles Clippers (7-7) will meet in the NBA tonight. Tipoff is set for 10:30 p.m. ET from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, Calif. The game will broadcast live on NBA League Pass.
The Warriors are 4.5-point favorites over the Clippers on the spread (Warriors -4.5), with the over/under set at 225.5 total points. Golden State is a -185 favorite to win outright, while Los Angeles is +150 to pull off the upset.
Let's get into my Clippers vs Warriors predictions and NBA picks for Monday, November 18.
Warriors vs. Clippers Picks, Prediction
Spread
I have no play on either side of the spread tonight.
Moneyline
There's no value in betting either team's moneyline.
Over/Under
My best bet tonight is on under 225.5 and the best line is available on FanDuel.
My Pick: Under 225.5 Points (-110, FanDuel)
Warriors vs. Clippers Odds
| Warriors Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-4.5 -110 | 225 -110o / -110u | -180 |
| Clippers Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+4.5 -110 | 225 -110o / -110u | +150 |
- Warriors vs. Clippers spread: Warriors -4.5
- Warriors vs. Clippers over/under: 225.5 points
- Warriors vs. Clippers moneyline: Warriors -185, Clippers +150
Warriors vs. Clippers Preview
The Clippers lost Paul George in free agency and Kawhi Leonard remains without a timetable for return. Without the production of those stars and about 50 points, it is no surprise that the Clippers have slipped to 18th in offensive rating and 22nd in points per game. However, George and Leonard are both elite defenders as well. The early surprise this season is the Clippers come into tonight's game ranking fourth in scoring defense and defensive rating.
The Clippers' defense has helped them remain competitive while they await the return of Leonard. The Clippers have held five of their last eight opponents to 105 points or fewer. It is no coincidence that they have won five of those eight games.
The Clippers' strong defense will get a tough test from the Warriors, who are third in in points per game and fourth in offensive rating. The Warriors enter play at 10-2 and with the best record in the Western Conference. However, defense has been a strong part of the equation, as they are fourth in defensive rating and eighth in points allowed per game.
Tonight's game will also feature a pair of 2009 NBA Draft selections in Steph Curry and James Harden. Last night, Harden passed Ray Allen for second place on the NBA's all-time 3-pointers made list. Harden finished just 2-for-8 beyond the arc last night, but finished with 20 points and 11 assists. His historic moment last night means tonight's features the two all-time leaders in 3-pointers made.
Curry is shooting 43.2% from beyond the arc on nine attempts. While he is rightfully regarded as the greatest shooter in NBA history. he is also strong on the glass, particularly for a guard of his stature. Curry has pulled down five rebounds in three straight games and in four of his last five games. He also had four rebounds in the first meeting against the Clippers before departing with an injury.
However, rebounding has not been a strong point for the Warriors overall. They rank 29th in offensive rebounds allowed per game and 28th in rebounds allowed per game overall. Ivica Zubac took advantage in the first meeting as he had 23 points and 18 rebounds against the Warriors. Tonight, his points + rebounds line is 28.5 and he has recorded 30 in three of his last six games against the Warriors.
Warriors vs. Clippers Prediction
Tonight's game will be a contrast in tempo with the Warriors ranking fifth in pace while the Clippers rank 23rd. The Clippers' style won out in the first meeting in a 112-104 victory that went under a line of 221.5 points. While Curry did not finish that game, tonight's matchup features two top 10 defenses with the Clippers being on a second end of a back-to-back.
The Clippers are playing their fourth back-to-back this season and on the second end of their back-to-backs so far, the under has hit in two of three games with an average of 222.6 points. One of those games was against the Warriors, which finished with 216 points. The Clippers are 9-5 to the under overall this season and tonight, we get the total at 225.5 points.
For the under to hit, we will need misses and rebounds and for that I am looking at Curry and Zubac. Curry will have opportunities for long rebounds off 3-point misses while Zubac will be able to capitialize on his size advantage against the Warriors as well as being in a more featured role this season.
