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Clippers vs. Warriors Preview: Looking for Consistency
The Clippers square off against the Warriors at home, who they just lost to 36 hours earlier.
Game Information
Where: Crypto.com Arena, Los Angeles, CA
When: 1 PM PT
How to Watch: Clippervision, Bally Sports SoCal
Projected Starting Lineups
Clippers: James Harden – Terance Mann – Paul George – Kawhi Leonard – Ivica Zubac
Warriors: Stephen Curry – Klay Thompson – Moses Moody – Draymond Green – Kevon Looney
Injury Report
Clippers: Brandon Boston Jr. out (quad), Mason Plumlee out (MCL)
Warriors: Chris Paul out (leg), Andrew Wiggins questionable (finger), Gary Payton II out (calf)
The Big Picture
Consistency. That seems to be the Clippers biggest issue at the moment. The past four game for the Clippers have been night and day. They beat elite teams in the Dallas Mavericks and Sacramento Kings in impressive fashion. They turn around and lose to the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors who were both incredibly short-handed.
It’s a little past time to chalk those losses up to working out the lineup kinks. It just seems like an effort issue when the team has shown exactly what they’re capable of.
There’s the issue of the bench too. That’s an area where Tyronn Lue seems to be doing his usual tinkering; that is, finding a working combination. The James Harden trade changed several roles. The bench at times has been a strength for the Clippers in seasons past. The past few games it’s been a source of inconsistency.
Ultimately, there has to be some kind of sense of urgency. Too many early losses can doom the Clippers later in the season.
The Antagonist
The Golden State Warriors come to town feeling good about themselves, having beaten these same Clippers on Thursday. They’re banged up and beat up and have been inconsistent as well, but that was one of their better games of the season.
The Warriors are going to come into the arena believing they can win. As long as Steph Curry is out there, anything is possible. It’s up to the Clippers to come out with the sense of urgency they did against Dallas and Sacramento and get back on track.
Clippers vs. Warriors Preview: Looking for Consistency
David Yapkowitz