The Golden State Warriors head to Crypto.com Arena to take on the Los Angeles Clippers in NBA action on Tuesday night.
The Dubs are trying to stay above .500 in a highly-competitive Western Conference as they await the return of Stephen Curry later this month. Meanwhile, the Clips look to go on a run during the second half of the season after bolstering their bench at the trade deadline.
NBA odds opened with the Clippers as 8-point home favorites against their Western rivals. Here are my best free NBA picks and predictions for Warriors vs. Clippers on February 14.
Warriors vs Clippers best odds
Warriors vs Clippers picks and predictions
Kawhi Leonard is averaging 22.0 points per game so far this season for the Los Angeles Clippers. However, that number is suppressed by his early season production when he averaged just 26 minutes and 11.8 field goal attempts per game in his first 10 contests and was severely hindered by his knee.
Since the middle of December, Leonard is averaging 25.7 ppg while taking 18.1 field goal attempts per contest. Leonard is coming off five days of rest and should be poised for a big night against a Golden State Warriors side that really struggles on defense.
The Warriors are 26th in the league in scoring defense (118.3 ppg), with that number jumping up to 123.1 ppg on the road. They also do a poor job of guarding opposing wings, surrendering 21.3 ppg on 47.9% shooting against small forwards.
Take the Over 22.5 on Leonard's points total tonight.
My best bet: Kawhi Leonard Over 22.5 points (-110)
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Warriors vs Clippers spread analysis
The Warriors are coming off a 135-126 win at home against the Wizards last night. They shot a sizzling 58% from the floor and went 20-40 from 3-point range in that contest to overcome their own defensive shortcomings.
They are 2-2 straight up in their last four games since Steph Curry ended up back on the IL with a lower-leg injury. The Warriors have still been able to fill up the hoop without Curry, thanks to Jordan Poole (20.8 ppg), Andrew Wiggins (17.1 ppg), and Klay Thompson (21.5 ppg).
However, they're certainly less efficient on offense without their superstar point guard and their lax defense continues to be an issue. The Dubs are 15th in the NBA in defensive rating (113.7) and also struggle on the glass, where they rank just 19th in rebound rate.
They've looked especially bad on the road, where they have gone just 7-21 SU with an average scoring margin of minus-6.4 ppg.
The Clippers are coming off three days of rest and recently lost 119-106 to the Bucks at home. Leonard sat out that contest for injury management and they were especially shorthanded because Eric Gordon, Bones Hyland, and Mason Plumlee were also unavailable after being added at the trade deadline.
The Clippers have looked like a contender when both Leonard and Paul George suit up, going 17-9 SU with an average scoring margin of plus-4.8 ppg. Their bench has been one of the weakest aspects of the team, but the previously mentioned additions are all expected to suit up today and will be an upgrade over the now-departed Reggie Jackson and Luke Kennard.
Warriors vs Clippers Over/Under analysis
The Warriors play at the fastest pace in the NBA but the Clippers play at the seventh-slowest tempo.
The Clips have been solid defensively, ranking ninth in opponent field goal percentage (46.9%) and sixth in defensive rebounding rate. While their offensive numbers are less impressive, that's mainly because both Leonard and George have missed significant time.
In 26 games with both superstar wings, the Clips are averaging 114.7 ppg on 47.7% shooting and in 33 contests with at least one of them sidelined, they are putting up just 108 ppg on 46.3 FG%.
That said, it is worth mentioning that Dubs also regress on offense without Curry. They are averaging 115.6 ppg on 46.9 FG% without Curry while dropping 120 ppg on 48.2 FG% with him in the lineup.
The Under has also gone a commanding 22-5 in the Clippers' last 27 games at home.
Warriors vs Clippers betting trend to know
Golden Staten is 1-5 against the spread in its last six games against teams with a winning record. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Clippers.
Warriors vs Clippers game info
| Location: | Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA |
| Date: | Tuesday, February 14, 2023 |
| Tip-off: | 10:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TNT |
