Clippers vs. Warriors prediction: NBA odds, picks, bets for Thursday

The Los Angeles Clippers remain in northern California to face the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night for the first time this season.

The Clippers cruised past the Kings in Sacramento on Wednesday night, 131-117, to improve to 8-9.

Kawhi Leonard shot 14 of 18 from the floor and scored 34 points for the Clips, who had all five starters score in double figures.

After starting the season 0-6 on the road, the Clippers have now won three consecutive NBA games away from Crypto.com Arena as they head to the Bay Area.

And after losing their first six games with James Harden, they have gone 5-2 in their last seven.

Harden appears to be getting more comfortable on offense with each passing game. He finished with a season-high 26 points (and five steals) on an efficient 8-of-14 shooting with five threes last time out.

He had been ceding to Paul George and Leonard, but in the first half Wednesday, when the Clippers jumped out to a 20-point lead, the offense ran through him.

These are certainly two teams going in opposite directions.

The Warriors, after blowing a 24-point lead at Sacramento on Tuesday and losing, 124-123, have now lost eight of their last 10 games and are two games under .500 after starting the season 6-2.

Golden State has covered the spread only once in nine home games and owns a dreadful 0-7 record against the number in the role of a home favorite.

The Warriors are listed as 5.5-point favorites Thursday against a Clippers’ team that is 1-1 when playing with no rest. The win came against the Mavericks at home, while the loss came in overtime against the Lakers in a game in which the Clippers blew a 19-point lead.

Last season, the Warriors and Clippers split four matchups with the home team winning each time.

It’s hard to ignore the struggles the Warriors have had at Chase Center, especially trying to cover as a favorite.

Let’s grab the points with the Clippers on the road.

Pick: Clippers +5.5 (-115, BetMGM)