UPDATE: Over the weekend, a recording of L.A. Clippers owner Donald Sterling surfaced in which he allegedly made a wide range of racist remarks about African Americans, Magic Johnson, and minorities in general.
The Clippers have held a players-only meeting and, through coach Doc Rivers, have expressed their displeasure with the situation. As the players, the media, and the country as a whole draw to the controversy, Sterling has said he will not attend Game 4 at Golden State, but the spectre of this disruptive issue will no doubt represent a significant distraction to the Clippers and their players.
With Blake Griffin looking as good as he’s ever been, the Clippers have quickly turned things around to take a 2-1 series lead. Can the struggling Stephen Curry finally break out of his slump to even things out in Game 4?
This series has showcased some exceptional performances, and you can showcase your own by claiming a 50% deposit bonus when you open a betting account at Top Bet today. Then read on for all the stats and analysis you need to bet on this critical Game 4.
[sc:NBAArticles ]Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors Round 1, Game 4 Betting Preview
Series Schedule & Results
Game 1 – April 19, Golden State 109 Los Angeles 105
Game 2 – April 21, 7:00PM ET, Golden State 98 Los Angeles 138
Game 3 – April 24, 10:30PM ET, Los Angeles 98 at Golden State 96
Game 4 – April 27, 2:00PM ET, Los Angeles (-2) at Golden State (+2); total 209.5 – view all NBA lines
Game 5– April 29, 8:00 PM ET, Golden State at Los Angeles
Game 6 (if necessary) – May 1, Los Angeles at Golden State
Game 7 (if necessary) – May 3, Golden State at Los Angeles
Betting on the Los Angeles Clippers
Blake Griffin looks like he’ll have his way with the Warriors all series long after another big 32-point Game 3. Blake has now scored 67 points on 67% shooting in his last two games. Griffin has had help inside: DeAndre Jordan is having a massive series, averaging no less than five blocks a game, and adding 14 points and a ridiculous 22 rebounds in Game 3.
[sc:NBA240banner ]But even with the overwhelming advantage inside, the Clippers could use more assertiveness from Chris Paul, who scored more in Game 1 than he has in Games 2 & 3 combined (28 to 27). Those points are especially needed with sixth man Jamal Crawford (10 PPG) still slowed by a calf injury. Crawford was largely silent in Game 4 with the exception of a deadly 5-minute stretch in which he scored eight straight.
The Clippers held opponents to just 33% shooting from beyond the arc in the regular season (best in the NBA) and they’ve limited the Warriors’ three-pointer-heavy offense to 25% shooting from downtown in the last two games.
The Clippers are 5-1 in their last six road games.
Betting on the Golden State Warriors
The Warriors staged a valiant fourth quarter comeback in Game 3, but it came just a little too late. Maybe they wouldn’t have needed a comeback if they had hit their three-pointers. The Warriors have gone ice cold (10-for-40, 25%) from downtown in their last two games.
Klay Thompson went 2-for-11 from three, but he did bounce back from a poor Game 2 to lead the team with 26 points. Similar to last season’s series vs. San Antonio and Tony Parker, head coach Mark Jackson is using Thompson on the post against the smaller Chris Paul, and having success.
Unfortunately, the rise in Thompson’s play once again coincided with another dip in Stephen Curry’s. Despite hitting two clutch threes in the fourth quarter, Curry finished with just 16 points on 5-for-12 shooting and is averaging just 18 PPG in the series. The Splash Brothers haven’t scored 20 points in the same game thus far this series.
The Warriors are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games.
Writer’s Prediction
In light of Sterling’s comments, it will be interesting to see how the Clippers respond – there have been rumours of on-court protests or other moves that would directly affect the play. That said, all told this is a team of professionals who have worked hard to be at this point–racist owner notwithstanding–and they will likely have the composure to use this controversy to fuel a dominant effort on the court.
Look for Griffin and the Clippers to come out strong run away with an emotional game for them and the rest of the league, covering –2.
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