Los Angeles Clippers AT Golden State Warriors
January 14, 2011 at 10:30 PM EST
Opening Line: G.S. -4.5
Current Line: G.S. -3
Opening Total: 209.5
Current Total: 215
Opening Moneyline: G.S. -165 / L.A. +145
Current Moneyline: G.S. -155 / L.A. +135
You wouldn’t ordinarily label a game between two teams well under .500 as exciting, but this one will be. Given the fact that the Warriors are almost always exciting due to their run ‘n’ gun style and the Clippers have Blake Griffin’s high flying theatrics, there promises to be a plethora of highlights from this game between two teams that most likely will not make the playoffs this season.
The Clippers, for all the talent they have, are still 13-24, but they have won three straight and if they win tonight it will represent their longest winning streak of the season. Moreover, they’ve won 7 of their last 10 games, and have many Clipper fans and NBA fans alike wondering about the possibilities if they can keep their young nucleus of players together. Blake Griffin has had 24 consecutive double doubles and as I touted him in my rookie of the year write up, he indeed does now look like the favorite to win the award over the other choice John Wall of Washington.
Some betting trends:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of the Clippers last 7 games and they are 8-3 SU in their last 11 games. They are only 4-21 SU in their last 25 on the road, however, and the total has gone OVER in 4 of their last 5 road games. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of the Clippers last 6 games against the Warriors. The Clippers are 4-9 SU in their last 13 against the Warriors and 1-9 SU in their last 10 road games at Golden State. They are also 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games on the road at Golden State.
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State’s last 6 games and they are 8-17 SU in their last 25 games. They are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games at home and the total has gone OVER In all 5 of their last 5 home games. The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Golden State’s last 6 games against the Clippers.
Key Matchups:
Blake Griffin vs David Lee
Blake Griffin is always a key matchup against the Clippers and David Lee is a key player on the Warriors, as well, despite the fact he is playing no where near as well as he did last year in New York. His numbers are down, and while part of it can be attributed to him taking less shots, his rebounding is down two boards a game and he’s shooting under 50% from the field for the first time in his 6 year NBA career. Griffin, meanwhile, has been anything but disappointing and seems not only a lock to win rookie of the year but also a possible all star candidate selection this year, if NBA coaches overlook the Clippers’ lack of success overall. Griffin is averaging 21.8 points per game and 12.7 rebounds per game, and perhaps most suprisingly 3.4 assists per game. His only achilles’ heel has been his free throws, where he shoots just 57%, something that could bear improvement given the fact he attempts 8.5 free throws a game.
Eric Gordon vs. Monta Ellis
Both these shooting guards are high scoring and great players, and while Ellis could be considered the better of the two at this point in his career, Eric Gordon may soon surpass him, if he hasn’t already. Gordon is averaging over 7 points higher than last season with 23.6 points per game this year and he’s also averaging 4.5 assists per game. While his three point percentage is slightly down, his field goal percentage is slightly up from last year and he’s attempting a lot more shots. Ellis is putting up 25.6 points per game but attempts nearly 3 shots more per game than Gordon. Both players will pretty much have their hands full with one another defensively as they are both better scorers than defenders.
Tonight’s game should be a great one to watch. Unfortunately, only locals of the cities and people with NBA League Pass will be treated to see it.
