Golden State at L.A. Clippers

Time: 2:30 PM CST (ABC)

Spread: GSW -9

Total: 235

Odds c/o 5dimes

The Los Angeles Clippers find itself down 1-2 after losing Game 3 on its home court, quite badly, 105-132. The Clippers defeated Golden State in Game 2, but the Warriors came out focused in Los Angeles and demonstrated again why its the repeating champions and the No. 1 seed in the rugged Western Conference. Few are giving the Clippers much of a chance to win another game in this series, but Game 4 tips off from Los Angeles at 2:30 CST on ABC. The Warriors are 9-point favorites in the affair, and it has an over/under set at 235 points according to NBA oddsmakers at bookmaker 5dimes.

Don’t poke the bear: Game 3 was an illustration of just how good Kevin Durant can play when he is challenged and provoked. Patrick Beverley has done a tremendous defensive job on Durant, but it hardly showed in the Game 3 blowout. Durant shot 14 of 23 from the field, including 11 of 13 from two-point range, en route to a game-high 38 points and a +32 differential for his 30 minutes on the court.

The Warriors led 41-24 after the first quarter, and the Clippers were never able to make much of a dent into that lead, trailing by 20 at the half before going int the fourth quarter down a full 28-points. No Warriors starter played more than 33 minutes (Klay Thompson), as the Warriors bottom of the bench got plenty of run in the lopsided affair.

The Dubs may be able to employ a similar method in Game 4, seeking to get far ahead and give its starters some rest before the more rigorous rounds to come. The Dubs shot 54 percent in the game and 43 percent (15 of 35) on triples, while also holding a +7 advantage on the glass and limiting the Clips to just 37 and 21 percent shooting from the field and three-point range, respectively.

While one must certainly admire the Clippers scrappiness and team play, it is a team entirely bereft of All-Star talents while the Warriors (before the DeMarcus Cousins injury) possessed five in its starting lineup alone, not to mention former All-Stars like Andre Iguodala coming in the second unit. The Warriors have been gearing up and building up too long to simply lose to a No. 8 seed, but the Clippers do have money to spend in free agency and the allure of Los Angeles — this will not be its last time appearing in the postseason as it is still a playoff team during what has to be considered a rebuild at this point, anyway.

Look for Durant to put the hammer down in another Dubs blowout as Golden State closes out the series on the road.

ATS TRENDS