LOS ANGELES – In one of the shortest turnarounds on the NBA scheduling history, the Warriors have about 20 hours to regroup from the most decisive loss of the Steve Kerr era before facing their toughest Pacific Division foe.
But if any opponent can coax maximum energy from a tired Warriors team, it is the Clippers, who greet the defending champions Saturday afternoon at Staples Center.
The Warriors (48-5) are coming off a 32-point loss at Portland on Friday night and arrived in Los Angeles in the wee hours. They’ll get in a few naps, grab a bite and start boarding buses three hours before the scheduled 5:40pm tipoff.
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SIGN UP HERE The Clippers (36-18) have been the second-hottest team in the league over the past two months, going 20-5, a shade behind the Warriors’ 22-4 record. LA has thrived in the absence of All-Star forward Blake Griffin and this week added Jeff Green for additional depth at forward.
BETTING LINE:
Warriors by 5.
MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Stephen Curry vs. Chris Paul: There is rest for the weary, as one night after Portland’s Damian Lillard went for 51 points, Curry runs smack into the most complete pure point guard in the NBA. Paul has placed himself on the fringes on the MVP race. This is an opportunity gain further ground on the leader, Curry, who is on track a second consecutive trophy.
Klay Thompson vs. J.J. Redick: No shooting guard in the league strokes it as sweetly as these two. Redick is second in the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage (48.0), while Thompson is 11th (42.0). Thompson has made 163 treys, second in the league, while Redick has drained 132, ranking seventh in makes. Guns will blaze.
Golden State Warriors
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LAST 10:
Warriors: 9-1. Clippers: 8-2.
INJURY REPORT:
Warriors: C Andrew Bogut (right Achilles soreness) is out. F James Michael McAdoo (L foot toe sprain) is listed as out. C Festus Ezeli (L knee surgery) is not with the team.
Clippers: F Blake Griffin (R hand fracture, partially torn L quad tendon) and G Austin Rivers (L hand fracture) are listed as out.
SERIES HISTORY:
The Warriors have won five of the last six meetings, including the first two clashes this season – 112-108 on Nov. 4 at Oracle Arena and 124-117 on Nov. 19 at Staples. The Warriors have not lost a season series to the Clippers since 2005-06.