The Clippers kick off the second half of their season at home against the Golden State Warriors. Read on for the full game preview for the Clippers’ revenge match after the Warriors took victory from the jaws of defeat in their last matchup:
Game Information
Where: STAPLES Center, Los Angeles, CA
When: 7:00 PM PT
How to Watch: TNT, KEIB AM 1150
Starting Lineups
Warriors: Stephen Curry — Kelly Oubre Jr. — Andrew Wiggins — Draymond Green — Kevon Looney
Clippers: Patrick Beverley — Paul George — Kawhi Leonard — Nicolas Batum — Serge Ibaka
Injuries
Warriors: OUT — Klay Thompson (achilles); OUT — Marquese Christ (leg)
Clippers: None
The Big Picture
. . . is refreshed.
The All-Star break is over, and while it isn’t this campaign’s exact halfway marker, it’s close. 38 games down, 34 to go.
The All-Star game saw Paul George’s return from concussion after he missed last Thursday’s discomfiting loss in Washington. With him back in the fold, the Clippers should be at full strength, barring any sudden announcements between this writing and tip-off. The Clippers hope that with their returning star comes a return to form — they dropped six of their last nine while sliding down to the West’s fourth seed.
With nearly half of the season remaining, this writer prefers a win-em-all-and-let-the-standings-sort-em-out approach over daily seed-watching, but even I will admit to pushing harder (and earlier) than usual for the Clippers to leapfrog the hated Lakers. The possibility of having fans in the stands come playoff-time reintroduces the sweetness of home-court juice. Perhaps an even tastier treat would be pushing the Lakers into Utah’s side of the bracket. Game on.
The Antagonist
. . . is shopping aggressively.
As reported yesterday, Warriors President of Basketball Operations Bob Myers admitted they’ll be making more trade calls than they had in their more dominant years. It makes sense. Steph Curry’s MVP-quality heroics have only dragged the franchise into the ninth seed and the thick of the play-in fight. The man needs some help.
Fortunately for him, some assistance may be arriving immediately. Draymond Green and Kelly Oubre Jr. each missed time leading into the break, and with no news to the contrary, are presumed to return tonight. Neither has yet to correct his wayward outside shot, but brings enough defensive prowess to hold opponents in striking range for a patented Curry explosion.
Significant help may not be coming to propel the Warriors up the standings, especially if they’re unwilling to part with second-overall pick James Wiseman, but such propulsion isn’t necessary for a one-night burst. With Curry providing the power, in any given game, the sky is the limit.
Game Thread
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