The Golden State Warriors are at the midway point of their five-game road trip when they take on the Washington Wizards at 3 p.m. ET Monday at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.
It is a particularly important day around the United States and for the NBA schedule as the life of Dr. Martin Luther King is celebrated and remembered. There are often specific tributes and other break-ins throughout games to honor King, who died as an advocate for equality for Blacks, women, and all people.
The wizards are Close to the Postseason
The Washington Wizards standings show they are 1.5 games behind the final play-in spot with a little more than half the season gone. At 18-25. The Wizards, who are led by Bradley Beal, are close enough within striking distance to make a run at the postseason. But the likelihood they acquire pieces toward that goal rather than be sellers at the nearing NBA trade deadline is slim. They have also lost four of their last five games.
The Warriors (21-22) are a game back from climbing out of the play-in tournament altogether, but this recent stretch – they’ve lost four of their last five games – isn’t helping.
Looking at historical trends, picking Warriors vs. Wizards odds would favor Golden State, at least straight up. The Warriors have won 114 games to the Wizards’ 86 in 200 regular season NBA matchups.
Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards Odds
Warriors vs. Wizards odds show the Warriors are favored by 2.5 points with an over/under of 234.5 points. NBA odds have the Warriors at -135 on the moneyline while the Wizards are +115.
Golden State vs. Washington Wizards Information
Golden State vs. Washington Wizards
Location of the game: Capital One Arena. Washington, DC.
Date: Monday, 16th January. 2:00 PM.
Golden State vs. Washington Wizards Betting Analysis
An easy Golden State Warriors prediction would be that they would lose because they are 4-17 straight up on the road this season, including a neutral court win over the San Antonio Spurs, 144-113, to open the road trip on Jan. 23.
Whether NBA expert picks or otherwise, public betting data shows 60% of bets are on the Warriors to cover the 2.5 points, and another 57% are on the over. However, Warriors vs Wizards odds have largely been covered by Washington of late. They are 5-1 against the spread in the last six meetings in Washington and 4-1 against the spread in the last five meetings, regardless.
Warriors Stats
NBA team stats show the Warriors still have one of the best offenses in the National Basketball Association. They are fifth in scoring 117.3 points per game and do it highly efficient, 14th in making 47.2% of field goal attempts and fifth in making 37.3% of their 3-point shots, showing the vintage offense throughout their dynasty still works. They are also 11th in making 79.3% of free throws.
Defensively, they are 27th in allowing 117.9 points per game. They are 11th in forcing teams to convert 46.8% of field goal attempts and 15th in allowing 35.9% on 3-point shots.
The Wizards are mediocre at best. They are 25th in scoring 111.7 points per game but are ninth in making 47.9% of field goal attempts. On the perimeter, they are 23rd at making 34.3% of 3-point shots, and they are 21st at 77.4% on free throws.
Defensively, they are 15th in allowing 113.1 points per game. They are seventh in defensive efficiency, holding opponents to 46.3% from the field, and 20th at 36.1% on 3-point attempts.
Wizards Stats
NBA player stats show the Wizards have a big three and not much else.
While five players average double figures, the bench has not been good. Beal is the leader at 22.9 points and 5.2 assists per game. Kristaps Porzingis averages 21.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game. Kyle Kuzma averages 21.7 points and 7.4 rebounds per game.
Part of their issue is injuries. Beal has been out for 11 days with a hamstring issue but could return soon. Monte Morris is probable with a similar injury and first-round pick Johnny Davis is questionable with a hip injury, so the backcourt could be really thin.
The Warriors will be without Klay Thompson (knee), Jonathan Kuminga (foot), JaMychal Green (infection), and James Wiseman (ankle). Their defense should improve as they get healthier.
Talk about top-heavy, and the Warriors are in that mix.
Stephen Curry is averaging 28.9 points, 6.4 assists, and 6.4 rebounds per game. They’ll miss Thompson’s 20.9 points per game. But they have Jordan Poole at 20.7 points and 4.5 assists per game and Andrew Wiggins at 18.0 points per game. Still, they have depth when healthy but need others to step up.
Golden State Warriors vs. Washington Wizards Betting Preview
Poole and Draymond Green are the two starters/rotational players who struggle on the perimeter for the Warriors. So the matchup favors them as a strong 3-point shooting team against a Wizards team that struggles to defend on the perimeter. And while having Morris in to defend Curry, they will really miss Beal’s presence against this free-flowing offense.
But one could argue that the Wizards have more depth entering this game. Beal is a tremendous two-way piece and shouldn’t be tossed aside, but otherwise, they are relatively healthy among major contributors, and the Warriors are not.
Road Favorites
It is a bit surprising to see the Warriors as road favorites, given their struggles away from the Chase Center. But they still have the higher-end talent, with Curry as one of the all-time best guards in league history. Leading that perimeter attack, the Warriors should be OK on the offensive end, and while they struggle at limiting opponents’ scoring, the Washington Wizards are better offensively on the interior.
That actually favors the Warriors, given they are so efficient at 3-point shots and three points are worth more than two. So we will side with Golden State to win and cover the 2.5 points. Our one hesitancy is if the Wizards can somehow alienate the Warriors’ offense and force Poole and Green to beat them on the perimeter, but that is so difficult to do because of the chemistry Golden State has built up over time.
A second win on the road this trip? It would be the Warriors’ first in the nation’s capital since Feb. 3, 2020.
If you love sports and want more sports betting information follow us as @InsidersBetDig on Twitter and sign up to our mailing list for free betting picks.