The Golden State Warriors were supposed to close out the Los Angeles Clippers at home in Game 5, but that’s not the way it went down. Perhaps the Warriors were looking too far ahead to the next round of the playoffs, but they still have some work left to do in this one. The Clippers are not afraid to run up and down the court with the Warriors, and they are giving the defending champions a real test. Golden State is still the favorite to win this series, but the Clippers aren’t going to go down without a fight.
Golden State has gone just 1-2 this series in games played at Oracle Arena, but they have gone undefeated in the two games at the Staples Center. The Warriors went on the road in Games 3 and 4 and recorded comfortable wins, and will look to close out the series on the road. The Clippers were in desperation mode in Game 5 but rose to the challenge in coming away with a 129-121 victory to extend the series. The Golden State Warriors are -9.5 point favorites in Game 6 over the Los Angeles Clippers.
The Clippers Can Score as Well
The Golden State Warriors are the most explosive offensive team in the NBA this season, but the Los Angeles Clippers can score as well. The Clippers are averaging 115.6 points per game in this series, and are knocking down better than 11 three-point shots per game. Los Angeles is giving up close to 125 points per game to the Warriors, but they are also forcing close to 16 turnovers per game. There is no doubt that the crowd inside the Staples Center will give the Clippers an extra boost in Game 6 as they try to keep the series alive.
The Clippers have one of the best benches in the entire league, and that has played a huge role in this series. Shooting guard Lou Williams has come off the bench to lead the team with 24.4 points per game and also added 10 assists in the Game 5 victory. The Clippers are shooting close to 37 percent from the three-point line as a team, and they have enough offense to win games in this series.
Warriors Suddenly Lack Depth
Golden State has been one of the deepest teams in the NBA in recent seasons, but that hasn’t been the case this season. The Warriors have battled a ton of injuries during the regular season and are playing without DeMarcus Cousins for the remainder of the playoffs. Golden State doesn’t have a player off the bench who is scoring more than eight points. The Warriors must get more production from their bench moving forward.
Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry have both been tremendous in this series for the Warriors, but they are still looking for more consistency from Klay Thompson. Durant and Curry are averaging more than 46 points per game, and are both capable of leading this team to a Game 6 victory. Thompson has shot the ball well from deep but needs to provide more scoring in Game 6. Golden State is still shooting over 41 percent from the three-point line as a team, but turnovers and sloppy play have really hurt them.
Warriors Win Close Game
The Golden State Warriors are clearly the better team in this series, but the Los Angeles Clippers are scrappy and have played them well. The Warriors are going to find a way to get this victory in Game 6, but it is going to be a tight game throughout. Take the 9.5 points and bet the Los Angeles Clippers in this Game 6 against the Golden State Warriors.