OAKLAND -- Never in the Steve Kerr era have the Warriors been swept in a season series. Their best chance to keep it that way comes Saturday.
That’s when the Warriors (45-14) face Oklahoma City, against whom they are 0-2, and neither game was close. Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 4:30, with postgame coverage immediately after the final horn.
While integrating stars Carmelo Anthony and Paul George with reigning MVP Russell Westbrook, the Thunder (34-26) have had an uneven season, but managed to find their best in two double-digit wins over the Warriors.
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SIGN UP HERE The teams will meet once more this season, April 3 on OKC’s home court.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 9.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Golden State Warriors
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Stephen Curry vs. Russell Westbrook: They won’t always be assigned to each other, but no two point guards strike more fear into opponents than these two. The Warriors concede it’s too much to ask one individual to contain Westbrook, so they’ll often send help in an effort to keep him from being productive in the paint. The Thunder are well aware of the damage Curry can inflict. The winner of this battle gives his team an infinitely better chance to prevail.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: F Draymond Green (R shoulder soreness) is listed as probable. F Jordan Bell (L ankle inflammation) and G Pat McCaw (L wrist fracture) are listed as out.
Thunder: G/F Andre Roberson (L patellar tendon rupture) is listed as out.
LAST 10
Warriors: 6-4.
Thunder: 4-6.
GAME OFFICIALS
Scott Foster (crew chief), Pat Fraher, Scott Wall
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors have dropped the first two meetings, 108-91 on Nov. 22 in Oklahoma City and 125-105 on Feb. 6 in Oakland. The Warriors swept four games last season and are 14-6, including postseason, against OKC in the Steve Kerr era.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
THE GIFTS: No team this season has punished the Warriors for their turnovers as harshly as OKC has. The Thunder scored 72 points off 47 Warriors giveaways in two games. If the Warriors don’t take care of the ball, they’re inviting more of the same.
THE GLASS: OKC C Steven Adams leads the NBA in offensive rebounds (5.3 per game), helping the Thunder ring up 35 second-chance points, to 21 for the Warriors in the first two games. The Warriors will have to be more aggressive in the paint.
KD VS. PG: A captivating matchup of two superb small forwards. Kevin Durant is the more gifted scorer, Paul George the more consistent defender. PG won earlier this month with 38 points, six steals and five rebounds to KD’s 33 points and 6 rebounds.