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Clippers vs. Warriors Preview: Battle of Geriatrics
The Clippers will try once more to get to a .500 record in another road game in the Bay, this time against the aging Warriors.
Game Information
Where: Chase Center, San Francisco, California
When: 7:00 PM PT
How to Watch: NBA TV, Bally Sports SoCal, AM 570
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Terance Mann – Ivica Zubac
Warriors: Stephen Curry – Klay Thompson – Andrew Wiggins – Draymond Green – Kevon Looney
Injuries
Clippers: Mason Plumlee Out (Knee), Norm Powell Questionable (Knee), Brandon Boston Out (Quad)
Warriors: Gary Payton Out (Calf), Chris Paul Out (Leg), Usman Garuba Out (Finger)
The Big Picture
The Clippers are as confusing as ever, following up their worst loss of the season with their best win of the season. The new starting lineup is a consistent positive, but getting other lineups to work with bench players subbed in has been a challenge. The Clippers are old and played a competitive, fast-paced game last night, so this is a tough schedule contest for them on the road – but if they can get this win, they will have won six of their last eight games and officially put their season somewhat back on track.
The Antagonist
After a 6-2 start, the Warriors are 2-8 in their last 10 games. They face many of the same issues as the Clippers, in having an older core that is starting to show its age and without reliable (or at least, trusted by the coaching staff) younger talent waiting in the wings. Klay Thompson has been bad to start the year, scoring at a relatively inefficient rate and with lesser defense than usual, while Andrew Wiggins has been flat out abysmal with awful shooting splits and inconsistent effort. Dario Saric has been fantastic, Chris Paul has adjusted well to a bench role, Moses Moody has taken a step forward, and Draymond Green remains a top-tier defender, but Steph Curry has just not receive enough help. That said, Curry is plenty good enough to win games on his own, and stopping him remains every opponent’s first and second priority. Maybe even third.
Notes
Keep Care of the Ball: The Clippers only had a handful of turnovers last night, a key to beating the speedy Kings. The Warriors are old and slow, but Curry and Klay are nightmares to cover in transition, so the Clippers will need to do as good of a job at not giving the ball away, especially live ball turnovers. If they can keep the Warriors to more of a halfcourt offense, they have a good chance at winning.
Replacing Norm: The Clippers don’t have their official injury report out yet, but based on how Norm Powell looked last night after his collision with Harrison Barnes, I think his playing is doubtful. If he sits, the Clippers will need to find another guard to take his minutes. The obvious choice is Bones Hyland, who can replace Norm’s creation and shooting. However, the Clippers might be wary of playing him with Russ too much, so it’s possible Amir Coffey gets a crack at the rotation instead.
Clippers vs. Warriors Preview: Battle of Geriatrics
Robert Flom