Los Angeles Clippers Picks & Predictions

Denver are deserved favorites, but 12.5 points is a significant cushion for a preseason game. The result is secondary at this stage of preparation, and coaches are focused much more on evaluating combinations, managing minutes and giving reserve players extended runs.

Utah can lose comfortably and still cover this line. With so much uncertainty surrounding fourth-quarter rotations, taking the large underdog spread provides much better protection than relying on Denver to maintain a double-digit advantage for the full game.

Pick: Utah Jazz +12.5 @1.29

This is a preseason spot where the extra spread protection carries real value. Golden State may have the stronger starting unit, but preseason rotations are expected to limit the minutes of the key veterans and give extended opportunities to the bench and younger players. That makes it much harder for a favorite to maintain control for all four quarters.

With the Clippers playing at home, we do not need them to win. The +8.5 cushion gives us plenty of protection in a game where rotations and second-half lineups can quickly change the momentum.