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On paper, the Los Angeles Clippers have something to play for tonight. In reality, they are more likely to mail in this game against the Golden State Warriors and get ready for the next one against Steph Curry this week.
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My Warriors vs. Clippers predictions and these NBA picks spot that quiet logic to folding tonight, Sunday, April 12.
Fun fact: As this bet was being logged before sunrise on the West Coast, Kawhi Leonard’s points prop jumped to 28.5 from 26.5. That only emboldens this belief.
The Los Angeles Clippers made their bed. Now they have to lie in it. Losing to Portland twice in the last two weeks knocked the Clippers into the No. 9 seed, now needing the Trail Blazers to lose to the Kings today if L.A. is to have any hope of escaping the single-elimination half of the Play-In Tournament.
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Not only does Portland have an obvious incentive to win, but Sacramento also wants to lose to give its tanking efforts one last boost, currently tied with Utah for the fourth-worst record in the NBA.
So, welcome the Clippers to the stressor of a single-elimination game against Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors. No, not today. This is just a prelude to that stressor this week.
And knowing that is coming down the pipe lessens any incentive for Los Angeles to show anything notable today. As Portland pulls away against Sacramento — a 17-point favorite — do not be surprised if L.A. benches its main contributors.
Kawhi Leonard has already fallen short of this prop in six of his last seven games. Fewer minutes or intentionally less aggression tonight should assure that becomes seven of eight to close the season.
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While the Warriors have nothing to play for tonight, they do need to keep playing Steph Curry back into a rhythm. He missed two full months of the season.
Every minute Curry can get on the court right now helps Golden State’s slim chances of winning two games in the Play-In Tournament, to then at least worry the Thunder.
Curry playing nearly 30 minutes tonight against an ambivalent Clippers team should be enough to notch this win against the spread.
Kawhi Leonard Under 28.5 points
Kawhi Leonard Under 7.5 rebounds
Curry has shot 11-for-27 (40.7%) from deep in his three games back from injury. If he finds a rhythm tonight, Golden State should encourage him to keep shooting to establish some team-wide confidence before the Play-In Tournament.
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And we all know, Steph Curry chucking from deep is always a recipe for an outright upset.
Kawhi Leonard Under 28.5 points
Kawhi Leonard Under 7.5 rebounds
Spread: Warriors +6.5 | Clippers -6.5
Moneyline: Warriors +220 | Clippers -270
Over/Under: Over 224.5 | Under 224.5
The Clippers have gone 2-6 ATS in their last eight games. Find more NBA betting trends for Warriors vs. Clippers.
Location | Intuit Dome, Inglewood, CA |
Date | Sunday, April 12, 2026 |
Tip-off | 8:30 p.m. ET |
TV | NBCS-Bay Area, FDSN-SoCal |
Not intended for use in MA.
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