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The L.A. Clippers and the Golden State Warriors play Game 2 of their Western Conference first round series on Monday night at the Oracle Arena in Oakland.
Beaten Up
The Clippers defied the odds by making it to the playoffs. But now that they’re here, they now know how tough it is, even in round one of the postseason. L.A. barged in at #8 so they have the unenviable task of facing the two-time defending champions Golden State Warriors in the playoffs. The result? The Clippers got beaten up 121-103 in Game 1.
Montrezl Harrell had 26 points on 11 out of 15 shooting and Lou Williams scattered 25 points and issued nine assists as the Clippers returned to the postseason after missing out last year. Danilo Gallinari added 18 points and 8 rebounds for L.A. who also had 18 points from Shai Gilgeous Alexander.
The L.A. Clippers shot just 38-94 or 40.4% from the floor and were also 17-22 from the free throw line. Their shooters went 11-30 from behind the three point area. Los Angeles was outrebounded by a total of 14 boards and out-blocked 14 to 6 during the entire game while Patrick Beverley and Danilo Gallinari shot a combined 5-20 from the field.
Locked In
The Golden State Warriors looked disinterested during the regular season but don’t tell that to them now as the Dubs have activated playoff mode and they opened their title retention bid with a rousing 121-103 win over the L.A. Clippers to start their title retention bid on a high note.
Stephen Curry had 38 points including 8 three-point baskets made. Kevin Durant added 23 points before getting ejected following a heated argument with Patrick Beverley. Klay Thompson struggled on 5-14 shooting with just 12 points while Draymond Green had 17 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists for the Warriors.
The Warriors shot 49.% from the field, going 45-91 during the game. They also shot the ball at 46.7% from the three point area, making a total of 14 three pointers during the game. The Dubs also outrebounded the Clippers by a margin of 53-40 and the Warriors had seven more assists than L.A.
Who Wins?
L.A. is 5-5 SU in their last 10 games played. The Clippers are 2-3 ATS in their last five games played on the road. Golden State is 8-2 SU in their last 10 games played. The Warriors are 5-0 SU in their last five home games played. Head to head, the Warriors are 8-2 SU in their last 10 games against the Clippers.
You have to give credit to the L.A Clippers simply for being here. This team traded Blake Griffin and Chris Paul last season then parted with DeAndre Jordan in the last offseason. They were led by the overachieving Tobias Harris early on but the Clippers also traded Harris at the trade deadline. But making it here and winning a playoff series are two different animals.
The Warriors looked vulnerable during the regular season but in Game 1, they asserted their might on the Clippers. The Warriors are done with going through the motions. These are the playoffs and the Dubs have been here and done that. I expect the Warriors to get even better here. They are aching to prove everybody that they are still the champs. No question about that. I’m picking the Golden State Warriors to beat the L.A. Clippers in Game 2 of their playoff series.
Other Bets To Make
The Clippers are 4-5-1 ATS in their last 10 games played. L.A. is 2-2-1 ATS in their last five games played on the road. The Warriors are 6-4 ATS in their last 10 games. Golden State is 4-1 ATS in their last five games at home. Head to head, Golden State is 3-0 ATS in their last three meetings against the LA Clippers.
Clippers
+13.5 (-110)
Warriors
-13.5 (-110)
Odds from betonline.ag as of 4/14/19
L.A. is 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games against an opponent with a winning record, 1-4 ATS in their last five games after suffering a loss and 0-5 ATS in their last five games overall. Golden State is 4-1 ATS in their last five games played, 4-1 ATS in their last five games against an opponent with a winning record and 27-9 ATS in their last 26 conference quarterfinals playoff games. Among the first round series, this one looks like the easier one to pick. Golden State is such a very experienced team while the Clippers don’t have the firepower to match them. 18 was the winning margin in Game 1 and I expect Game 2 to end up the same way. Prediction: Warriors -13.5
The total has gone over in seven out of the last 10 games played by the Clippers. The over is 3-2 in the last five road games played by the LA Clippers. The under is 4-6 in Golden State’s last 10 games played. The total has gone under in four out of the last five games played by the Warriors. Head to head, the over is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings between these two teams.
Clippers
O 230 -110
Warriors
U 230 -110
Odds from betonline.ag as of 4/14/19
These teams combined for 224 points in Game 1. The Warriors have given up just an average of 101 points in their last seven games overall. They only gave up 101 in Game 1. I think Golden State’s defense is in playoff mode right now. I don’t see this game going over because of the Dubs’ defense. Prediction: Under 230
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