by Amedeus Mastrangelo
Wednesday, Oct 20, 2021
Game Time: 10:00 pm ET, Thursday, October 21, 2021
Venue: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
Where to Watch: TNT
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Point Spread: Clippers +3, Warriors -3; Over/Under: 225.5 points
Bet365: Point Spread: Clippers +3.5, Warriors -3.5; Over/Under: 226 points
BetMGM: Point Spread: Clippers +3, Warriors -3; Over/Under: 226.5 points
Season Record
Los Angeles Clippers: 0-0 (Pacific Division)
Golden State Warriors: 1-0 (1st place, Pacific Division)
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Los Angeles Clippers vs Golden State Warriors Preview and Analysis
Recent Form
Los Angeles Clippers: N/A
Golden State Warriors: won on the road on Oct. 19 against the Los Angeles Lakers 121-114.
Los Angeles Clippers Analysis
The LA Clippers finished last season in 4th place of the Western Conference with a 47-25 record overall. They made it to the postseason and made it past the Dallas Mavericks in 7 games in the first round, eliminated the Utah Jazz in 6 games in round 2, and then lost to the Phoenix Suns in 6 games in the Western Conference Finals. They are coming into this game with some key players injured including Kawhi Leonard and Serge Ibaka. This will be their season opener on Thursday night. Their starting lineup will look a little different than it did last season with the injuries on their team. Reggie Jackson is at Point Guard, Eric Bledsoe at Shooting Guard, Paul George at Small Forward, Marcus Morris Sr. at Power Forward, and Ivica Zubac at center. The Clippers were not able to do a lot in the offseason with their focus mainly on re-signing their own free agents. Their biggest move of the offseason and possibly the one that could leave them a little weaker on the defensive side, was trading Patrick Beverly, Rajon Rondo, and Daniel Oturu for Eric Bledsoe from the Memphis Grizzlies. They were also able to re-sign Nicolas Batum and managed to pick up Justise Winslow. The Clippers are going to look very different this season than they did last season so it will be interesting to see how all of their new pieces work together on the court.
Golden State Warriors Analysis
The Warriors did not have a very good season last year as they were riddled with injuries to many of their starting players throughout the entire season. They finished in 9th place of the Western Conference last season with a 39-33 record overall. They have already played their first game of this new NBA season on opening night Tuesday and they came away with a win to start their season off right with a 1-0 record overall. They beat the Lakers 121-114 after trailing for most of that game in the 1st half. They came out after halftime in that game and cut the lead down from 10 points late in the 3rd quarter and then took the lead themselves by the same amount going into the 4th quarter. Once they took the lead in that game they never gave it back. Steph Curry had a great game as he led the team in points with 21 along with 10 assists and 10 rebounds. Jordan Poole was right behind him in that one with 20 points himself with 3 assists and 2 rebounds as well in that one. Nemanja Bjelica led the team in rebounds with 11 while also scoring 15 points and 4 assists. The Warriors showed a lot of resilience in that game going into LA and coming out with the win after trailing for the 1st half of the game. They look like they are ready to get back on their throne from a few years ago and take the NBA by storm this season.
Clippers vs Warriors Prediction
The Warriors are coming into this game as a 3 point favorite with the current betting odds according to Draftkings Sportsbook. They looked really good in their game against the Lakers as they won that game in an upset as an underdog. The Warriors are also warmed up with the 1 game under their belt while the Clippers have not played a game with their new starting lineup yet. The injuries to the Clippers lineup have also caused it to become weaker than it was last year. The best bet to place in this game is on the Warriors to cover the spread here as they will put on a good show for their home opener here.
Clippers Warriors Prediction: Our NBA Pick for Thursday, October 21, 2021 (10:00 pm ET start time) is Warriors 117 Clippers 105.
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NBA Betting Trends
Los Angeles Clippers: 289-337 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 997-1044 ATS in all games. 510-574 ATS as an underdog. 334-377 ATS as a road underdog. 492-513 ATS in road games.
Golden State Warriors: 276-234 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 1041-1023 ATS in all games. 488-466 ATS as a favorite. 327-322 ATS as a home favorite. 529-507 ATS in home games.
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Clippers: K. Johnson (SG) Out Wed - Illness. N. Batum (SG) Out Wed - Personal. J. Preston (PG) Out indefinitely - Foot injury. S. Ibaka (PF) Out indefinitely - Back injury. K. Leonard (SF) out for season - Knee injury.
Golden State Warriors: J. Kuminga (PF) Out indefinitely - Knee injury. K. Thompson (SG) Mid Jan - Knee injury. J. Wiseman (C) Out indefinitely - Knee injury.
Players to Watch
Los Angeles Clippers: Paul George is one player to watch in this matchup. With Leonard out he will have to pick up the slack in this game and carry most of the weight here. Look for him to have a good game as he will need to if they are going to win this one.
Golden State Warriors: Steph Curry is one player to watch in this contest. He led his team points and assists in their last game and he was 2nd on the team in rebounds. He was a big force in that game and was able to lift his team to victory over the Lakers. Look for him to continue his great start to the season here with another good game in this one.
Notable Quotes
"They move the ball. It’s scary. Steph didn’t shoot it well, and they still win. So we just have to be ready for their ball movement. I thought the Lakers played them well. Put bodies on them. Forced them to make plays at the rim." - Paul George on the Warriors after watching them in their first game of the season, preparing for their first game against them.
"We kept our composure and didn't turn the ball over in the second half, which was a huge benefit to just maintaining the pace and giving ourselves some looks. But the fact that everybody who was on the floor contributed in a meaningful way kind of speaks to our depth and how we want to play going forward. We're excited about that and it's good to be 1-0." - Steph Curry after his team won on opening night of the NBA.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Clippers
PG Reggie Jackson
SG Eric Bledsoe
SF Paul George
PF Marcus Morris Sr.
C Ivica Zubac
Golden State Warriors
PG Stephen Curry
SG Jordan Poole
SF Andrew Wiggins
PF Draymond Green
C Kevon Looney
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Clippers
PPG: N/A
APG: N/A
Reb/G: N/A
Golden State Warriors
PPG: S. Curry (21)
APG: S. Curry (10)
Reb/G: N. Bjelica (11)
Coaches:
Los Angeles Clippers: Tyronn Lue (3rd season)
Golden State Warriors: Steve Kerr (8th season)
Amedeus Mastrangelo
About the Author:
Amedeus Mastrangelo has been heavily wagering on all sports for years and plays just about everything, including sides, totals, favorites, underdogs, against the spread, alternative spreads, first half, second half, player props, and futures. The bottom line is, if Mastrangelo can see an edge in any way shape or form, then he's going to take advantage.
