The NBA playoffs are upon us and they are already in full swing. Tonight, the Golden State Warriors welcome the Los Angeles Clippers back to Oracle Arena for the second game of the series. On Saturday night, the Warriors easily handled the Clippers winning 121-104. The game was even not as close as it seems as the Clippers made a run at the end to cut the deficit below 20 points. With a tipoff slated at 9:30 PM, this is going to be a game that has a lot of eyes on it due to the scheduling. When the Warriors are playing, people will have the TV on. This is a game that the Clippers must win if they want to have any shot at advancing. Steph Curry and Co. aren’t going to blow a 2-0 cushion in the first round. The Warriors are favored by 13.5.

The Clippers finished the regular season scoring 115.1 points per game and allowing 114.3 points per game. They had an offensive rating of 112.4 and a defensive rating of 111.5. When it comes to betting, it is usually a good call to take the Clippers when they are an underdog. Los Angeles is 45-37-1 against the spread and 44-38-1 to the over/under. The Clippers are 4-6 ATS, failing to cover in five straight. This past game the Clippers were led by Montrezl Harrell with 26 points, Danilo Gallinari with 8 rebounds and 3 steals, Lou Williams had 9 assists and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander had 3 blocks in Game 1. These players are going to have to step up even more this next game as they look to knock off the defending champions. The Clippers are going to have to play very good defense and efficient offense in order to dethrone the champs. The Clippers are fully healthy heading into this game so they are going to have all their weapons at their disposal.

The Warriors finished the regular season scoring 117.7 points per game and allowing 111.2 points per game. They ended the season with an offensive rating of 115.9 and a defensive rating of 109.5. Obviously, the Warriors ended the regular season as the top offensive team in the league. This season on defense, however, they finished near the middle of the pack whereas they have been a very good defensive team. Unlike the Clippers, the Warriors are not a sure thing when you look at betting on them. Golden State is 36-46-1 ATS and they are 38-45 to the over/under. This might cause problems for some bettors because the Warriors have covered the spread against the Clippers the last three games. Knowing that, the Warriors are due for regression. Each of the last three games against the Clippers have also been under the posted total. In Game 1, Stephen Curry led all scorers with 38 points, 15 rebounds, and seven assists. Andre Iguodala led the team with two steals and three blocks. The Warriors are cruising at the right time and if they continue this play no one will be able to beat them.

The Clippers are going to have to play a perfect game and the Warriors are really going to have to struggle in order for them to win. I don’t foresee that happening and I think that the Warriors will end up taking this game relatively easily. The Clippers just don’t have the firepower to hang with the big boys. When Golden State is playing at home they are tough but in from of a playoff crowd it is nearly impossible to win there. Take the Warriors at -13.5.