NBA Picks Tonight: Clippers vs. Warriors, Celtics vs. Bucks, Nuggets vs. Jazz Predictions

The Golden State Warriors seem destined for a Western Conference play-in spot as they continue to play without Stephen Curry. The NBA’s best-ever 3-point marksman will again be a spectator when the Warriors host the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night.

The Warriors said Sunday that Curry will miss five more games before his achy right knee is re-evaluated. That declaration means Golden State won’t have Curry for at least 15 games in total, barring any further setbacks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return still hangs in the balance as the Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets visit the Utah Jazz in another match that we’ll study.

LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS AT GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

Golden State is eighth in the West, five games behind the No. 6 Los Angeles Lakers for an automatic playoff spot. The Clippers are 2 ½ games behind the Warriors in ninth, making Monday’s game highly important for both teams, particularly Los Angeles.

Kawhi Leonard scored 23 points in Sunday’s 137-117 rout of the New Orleans Pelicans and he has scored 20 or more points in his last 37 appearances. Point guard Darius Garland, acquired from Cleveland at the trade deadline, is slated to make his Los Angeles debut and he knows his job is to get the ball to Leonard.

Golden State is just 4-6 without Curry and was blasted 129-101 by the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Depending on guys like Gui Santos, Will Richard, Pat Spencer and Nate Williams in place of Curry and Jimmy Butler (ACL, out for season) isn’t going to last long-term.

Clippers -1.5 points to cover spread, -110 (DraftKings)

BOSTON CELTICS AT MILWAUKEE BUCKS

Antetokounmpo missed his 15th straight game Sunday due to his right calf injury and there is no guarantee the two-time MVP will suddenly be ready to go. Milwaukee got creamed by the Chicago Bulls – who had lost 11 straight – 120-97 and gave up 27 consecutive points during one stretch of the second half.

The teams split the first two meetings this season but what stands out is how Boston totally shut down the Milwaukee offense during a 107-79 home win on Feb. 1. Ryan Rollins scored 25 on 10-of-16 shooting and the rest of the Bucks had 54 points on 19-of-66 shooting (28.8%) as Milwaukee was held to a season low for points.

Jaylen Brown continues to carry the Celtics but he surely was happy to see Neemias Queta score a career-best 27 points and collect 17 rebounds in Sunday’s 114-98 victory over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. Boston has won 11 of its last 13 games and looks primed to dispose of the Bucks again.

Under 215.5 total points, -110 (DraftKings)

DENVER NUGGETS AT UTAH JAZZ

Nikola Jokic has scored 30 or more points in four of the last five games and he figures to be a triple-double threat against the woeful Jazz. Jokic also might pack extra motivation as he had just 14 points in the first meeting between the teams on Dec. 22. He took just seven shots (making five) and also had 13 rebounds and 13 assists.

The Nuggets haven’t been playing well and are struggling with eight losses in their past 12 games. Denver lost 117-108 at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday despite Jokic contributing 35 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Sidekick Jamal Murray had 39 and 25 points the past two games, both in losses.

The Jazz are focused on tanking and have dropped five straight games, including back-to-back home games against the New Orleans Pelicans. Utah will show for the game – league rules mandate it – but it would be stunning for it to muster a victory or slow Jokic down.

Nikola Jokic to score 30-plus points, -119 (DraftKings)