Warriors Haven’t Been a Double-Digit Home Dog Since 2008

It’s been an absolute nightmare season for the Warriors – all of their starters are injured and they have just one win in six games. With Portland coming to the Bay Area, Golden State finds itself a big underdog and bettors may need to fade the depleted Warriors.

Sportsbook Odds Analysis

The Warriors opened as 10.5-point underdogs, simply because they don’t have enough quality healthy players on the roster. The total started at 221.5 due in part to Portland’s explosive offense but also due to Golden State’s inability to play strong defense.

Portland News & Notes

The bad news for the Trail Blazers is that after blowing a 21-point lead in a 129-128 loss on Saturday to Philadelphia, their record sits at 3-3 through six games. The bright side, however, is that their three losses came to teams with a combined record of 13-4.

Portland is seventh in team field-goal percentage and second in three-point percentage, which is an extension of the efficient start superstar Damian Lillard has had. The dynamic guard is shooting a career-best 47.6 percent from the floor and 40.7 percent from behind the arc — while attempting a career-high 20.7 shots per game and nine triples per contest.

Portland was without center Hassan Whiteside, who missed the game with a left knee bruise and is probable for Monday’s tilt. It might not matter, though, as Portland faces a Warriors team that allows opponents to shoot almost 50 percent from the floor.

Golden State News & Notes

It’s hard to believe, but after a dynastic stretch over the past five seasons, the Golden State Warriors are likely a lottery team this year following a 1-6 start.

Kevin Durant is in Brooklyn and Klay Thompson is out for the year, leaving a core of Steph Curry, Draymond Green and D’Angelo Russell to carry the load. But after winning one of their first four games, disaster struck: Curry broke his hand and will miss at least three months. Then Green suffered a torn ligament in his finger and he’s out indefinitely.

That forced Golden State to start three rookies in Saturday’s 93-87 loss to the Charlotte Hornets. With Russell questionable for Monday’s game, the Warriors will likely look to rookie Eric Paschall to carry the offense. A second-round pick, Paschall has topped 20 points in both his starts this season. He’ll need to deliver another strong performance Monday, facing off against an explosive Portland offense.

Betting Pick: Portland -10.5

The Blazers are better than their early 3-3 record shows, while injuries have basically reduced the Warriors to a G-League team. Portland wins this one — and covers the spread.