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

The Golden State Warriors look likely to secure a Western Conference play-in spot as they continue to play without Stephen Curry. The NBA’s all-time great 3-point shooter will be a spectator again on Monday night when the Warriors host the Los Angeles Clippers.

The Warriors announced Sunday that Curry will miss five more games before his injured right knee is reevaluated. The declaration means Golden State will not have Curry for at least 15 total games, barring further setbacks.

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s return remains unclear as the Milwaukee Bucks host the Boston Celtics. In another game we’ll study, Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets visit the Utah Jazz.

Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors

Golden State is in 8th place in the West Division, 5 games behind the 6th place Los Angeles Lakers, and is in line for an automatic playoff spot. The Clippers are in ninth place, 2½ games behind the Warriors, making Monday’s game very important for both teams, especially Los Angeles.

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

Golden State went just 4-6 without Curry and lost 129-101 to the visiting Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday. Depending on players like Gui Santos, Will Richard, Pat Spencer and Nate Williams, Curry and Jimmy Butler (ACL, out for season) probably won’t stick around long-term.

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

Boston Celtics at Milwaukee Bucks

Antetokounmpo missed his 15th straight game Sunday with a right calf injury, and there’s no guarantee the two-time MVP will suddenly be ready to play. Milwaukee lost 11 straight games (120-97) to the Chicago Bulls and gave up 27 points in one game in a row in the second half.

The teams have split their first two meetings this season, but what stands out is Boston’s complete shutout of Milwaukee’s offense during a 107-79 home win on Feb. 1. Ryan Rollins scored 25 points on 10-of-16 shooting and the rest of the Bucks scored 54 points on 19-of-66 shooting (28.8%) as Milwaukee posted its lowest points of the season.

Jaylen Brown remains in charge of the Celtics, but he was certainly happy to see Neemias Queta score a career-high 27 points and 17 rebounds in Sunday’s 114-98 win over the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. Boston has won 11 of its last 13 games and appears ready to dispose of the Bucks again.

Total score less than 215.5, -110 (DraftKings)

Denver Nuggets at Utah Jazz

Nikola Jokic has scored 30 or more points in four of the last five games and figures to be a triple-double threat against the woeful Jazz. Jokic may have some extra motivation, as he scored just 14 points in the first meeting between the teams on December 22. He only took 7 shots (5 made) and also had 13 rebounds and 13 assists.

The Nuggets haven’t performed well and are struggling with eight losses in their last 12 games. Denver lost 117-108 at home to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday despite Jokic posting 35 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists. Sidekick Jamal Murray has scored 39 and 25 points in the last 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 is scheduled to play under league rules, but it would be surprising to pull off a win or slow down Jokic.

Nikola Jokic scores 30+ points, -119 (DraftKings)