Clippers vs Warriors – Game 3 Pick

Los Angeles Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors

Game 3

Thursday, 10:30 pm EST

April 24, 2014

Line: Los Angeles Clippers -1.5

Having lost 15 of their last 17 games in Oakland, including the last five meetings, Oracle Arena has been a house of horrors for the two-time reigning Pacific Division champions. But nothing was more horrifying than the Warriors Game 2 performance on Monday night.

Embarrassing the Warriors 138-98 in Game 2 to even the best-of-seven series at a game apiece, the third-seeded Clippers showed just why they’re one of the favorites to come out of the West. With an all-around game that would’ve worked in any venue, if the Clippers are going to advance into the second round, they’re going to have to find a way to win on the road.

While in years past, winning at Oracle Arena would be a rarity for most teams, it’s been a different story in 2014. The Warriors went 27-14 at home, including 2-0 against the Clippers, but they had several head-scratching setbacks in Oakland. That included home losses to lesser teams such as Denver (twice), Cleveland, Minnesota, New York, Washington and Charlotte.

If the Warriors want to continue to take advantage of its home court, it begins at the 12-minute mark of the first quarter. Slow starts have cost the Warriors a handful of home games they absolutely should have won this season. Golden State can’t afford to fall behind in the opening stages of this one. The Clippers are a too good team of a team that will take advantage of any circumstances.

Head coach Mark Jackson must make changes that will give his club a better chance to beat the Clippers, but even at home, those adjustments might not ultimately be enough to get the job done. The Clippers might be too athletic for Golden State. Without Andrew Bogut’s ability to slow down Blake Griffin on defense, Golden State is also at a major disadvantage on offense. Without Bogut on the court, its no coincidence Curry and Klay Thompson are struggling. Not only is he the anchor on defense but on offense too.

Maybe expectations were too high for Golden State when this series began. Maybe Curry isn’t the big time player we thought he was. Or maybe, Jackson has his eyes set on the Big Apple, hoping for a return home.

Despite all these possibilities, the Warriors find themselves in a great situation, coming home tied at one game apiece. Don’t expect another blowout in Game 3. It won’t happen.

My Pick: Warriors Moneyline