Golden State at L.A. Clippers
Time: 9:30 PM (CT), NBA TV
Spread: EVEN
Total: 225.5
Odds c/o 5dimes
The Los Angeles Clippers are 7-5 and in second place in the Pacific Division. Tonight it will host the best in the West, the Golden State Warriors. NBA oddsmakers at 5dimes are setting the line EVEN after it opened -2 in favor of Golden State. The over/under is 225.5 points and the game will air at 9:30 PM CT on NBA TV as the second half of an NBA TV doubleheader tonight.
LAC
Veteran forward Tobias Harris has taken over as leader of the Clippers since it parted ways with its trio of Blake Griffin, Chris Paul, and DeAndre Jordan. Harris has been great, to the tune of 20.7 points per game, 8.9 rebounds and 1.09 steals/blocks. His right-hand man has been sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari, who is tallying 19.4 points and 5.8 rebounds per game in 30 minutes a night. The ageless Lou Williams is continuing yet another Sixth Man of the Year bid, with 18.6 points in 25 minutes a night. The biggest surprise perhaps has been the play of former Louisville forward Montrezl Harrell. The 6’7” power forward is undersized, but he is never short on energy. He is averaging 13.8 points and 6.3 rebounds in just 22 minutes a night.
Rookie point guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been impressive, too, with 9.6 points and 3.3 assists per game in 27 minutes a night. Most importantly, Shai passes the “eye test” with the look of an NBA point guard who will be around a long time. Patrick Beverley backs him up, as another guy who is never short on energy. The defensive pest is averaging 7.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.2 assists with 1.00 steals/blocks per game.
The Clippers have sneaky depth, and it has not even been getting the most out of DeAndre Jordan’s replacement, Marcin Gortat. Gortat has struggled with injuries and been on minute-restrictions, but once he rounds into form the Clippers should only get better. It has a 12 to 13 man rotation that is solid the whole way through, and while its opponent has the top-shelf talent, the Clippers could work away at it with high-energy fresh players on its home court.
GS
The Warriors just keep on cruising with its All-Star laden lineup. If that was not enough, it is now getting major contributions from its youngsters. Perhaps the only thing that can stop this dynasty is it, itself. Golden State has won nine straight games, and it is again on pace to rack up close to 70 wins this season, probably. Curry is leading the team with 31.3 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and 6.1 assists, and he is probably the frontrunner for league MVP at this early juncture. Kevin Durant is almost quietly adding 28 points per game as the No. 2 scorer, and no one can ignore the shooting theatrics of Klay Thompson, who recently connected on 14 threes in a game.
Forward Draymond Green is struggling a little, but it has hardly mattered with the top-3 scorers all playing so well. Green averages just 7.6 points, 7.2 rebounds and 7.9 assists per game this year, and he is seeing under 30 minutes per game, but that is mostly because of the Warriors superb depth and the emergence of Alfonzo McKinnie, the newest “name” to join the cast.
With McKinnie and Kevon Looney, the Warriors have a pair of prospects who could both eventually play major roles if one of the superstars (Durant?!) is to depart this offseason, next, or anytime soon. It almost seems unfair the way the Warriors have stacked its supporting cast in addition to its top-shelf talent, but enjoying this dynasty seems like the only thing left in the Association, as the Warriors have made the past four NBA Finals.
