The Warriors play their first game after the All-Star break when they host the visiting Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday night.
Warriors vs. ClippersThursday, Feb. 237:30 p.m.Oracle Arena
TV: TNT
RADIO: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network
AND THEY'RE OFF
The Warriors begin down the backstretch toward the playoffs on Thursday when they face the Los Angeles Clippers for the fourth and final time this season. Golden State has prevailed in every encounter so far this season, and owns a nine-game winning streak between the two teams. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Watch the action on TNT, or listen to the call on 95.7 The Game on the Warriors Radio Network.
LAST TIME OUT
The Warriors responded in a big way in the third quarter to claim a victory over the Kings in their final game before the All-Star break. Full Recap
MATCHUP AT A GLANCE
GSW
47-9
1st in West
118.2 PPG (1st)
44.5 RPG (8th)
31.0 APG (1st)
LAC
35-21
4th in West
107.9 PPG (8th)
43.6 RPG (17th)
22.4 APG (15th)
PROJECTED STARTERS
GSW: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and JaVale McGee
LAC: Austin Rivers, J.J. Redick, Luck Mbah A Moute, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan
INJURY & ROSTER NOTES
GSW: Zaza Pachulia (right rotator cuff strain) and David West (non-displaced fracture, left thumb) are questionable. Team Notes
LAC: Chris Paul (ligament tear, left thumb) and Diamond Stone (left knee bone bruise) are out. Team Notes
ALMOST FULL STRENGTH
The All-Star break came at a good time for Golden State, and they now embark on the final eight weeks of the regular season far closer to full strength than when they entered it. Both Zaza Pachulia and David West are listed as questionable for Thursday’s matchup with the Clippers after missing the last eight and 14 games, respectively, due to injury. Whether they return for that contest or in the near future, it will be a boon to the Warriors’ frontcourt depth, and likely eventually slide everyone back into their original spots in the rotation. Golden State begins post-All-Star break play with a demanding schedule as Thursday’s game will be the first of two-straight home games for the Dubs before they head out on a five-game East Coast road trip. After that, they’ll return home for a single game at Oracle Arena, after which they’ll head out on the road again for a road back-to-back sequence. In total, that will be 10 games in 17 days spanning eight different cities and who knows how many miles. All of this is to say, the added depth couldn’t come at a better time for the Warriors, as the extra bodies are sure to help with the wear and tear endured along the way.
TEAM LEADERS
GSW
PTS: Durant (25.8)
REB: Durant (8.3)
AST: Green (7.3)
LAC
PTS: Griffin (21.9)
REB: Jordan (13.8)
AST: Griffin (5.0)
LOS ANGELES SCOUTING REPORT
It’s been more than a month since Chris Paul went down with a torn thumb ligament, but the Clippers haven’t lost much ground in the playoff race. Los Angeles currently sits at 35-21 on the season, a half-game ahead of Utah for the fourth seed in the West. Their last encounter with Golden State on February 2 began a three-game losing streak, but they’ve responded with four-straight wins ever since, and now face the Warriors for one final time in the regular season. Los Angeles has not been able to solve the puzzle Golden State presents as of yet, having lost the previous nine meetings between the teams and now face the possibility of being swept in the regular season series for the second-straight year. The Warriors have won the three matchups this season by an average of 25.3 points per game, a fact sure not to be lost on the Clippers as they attempt to bring an end to their losing streak against their divisional foes.