NBA 2019 playoff primer: Day one tips off with four teams in action

LA Clippers at Golden State Warriors:

This entire season has centered more on the off court drama in Oakland than the play on the hardwood. Perhaps this is due to the fact many presume Kevin Durant may not be a lock to return this offseason when he enters free agency (just ask OKC Thunder fans how that might play out).

The Warriors bring five certified All-Stars to the floor and still have their Hamptons lineup plus the return of Andrew Bogut shored up the Warriors bench. The three-peat is the goal and nothing experienced in the season can truly be pointed to given the nonchalance this squad played with in many games. As the season drew to a close, however, the Warriors began to tighten up their defensive intensity and through the final 15 games delivered the third best defensive effort.

Their opponent wasn’t expected to be among the playoff squads but defied all the odds even after trading away Tobias Harris. Of the two inhabitants of the Staples Center, this LA team is positioned arguably better than the Lakers so everything they’ll gain in the postseason is gravy.

They can play free and loose with nothing to lose. Valuable experience will be gained by their youngsters which features three rookies in Gilgeous-Alexander, Robinson, and Shamet along with third year asset Zubac. The latter two were in this scribes opinion steals in trades made by the Clippers franchise.

Incredibly this is the first time Cousins will play in the postseason after toiling away in the league for eight seasons. Two things to keep an eye on is how aggressively the pest Beverley plays Curry (just ask Russell Westbrook) and whether the Warriors will be able to restrain themselves in matters with the officials.

Warriors Key Stat Categories:

Record: 57-25
Offense: 115.0 (1st)
Defense:108.4 (11th)
Net: plus +6.6 (2nd)
Pace: 101.8 (10th)

Clippers Key Stat Categories:

Record: 48-34
Offense: 111.2 (9th)
Defense: 110.2 (19th)
Net: plus  +1.0 (13th)
Pace: 102.7 (8th)

Game Specifics

The Venue: Oracle Arena, Oakland, California
Tipoff: 8:00 PM EST’
TV: ABC

History:

The Warriors own the all-time record over the Clippers with 131 wins in 218 matches. The Warriors won the season series three games to one while the Clippers own the playoff record edge four games to three.

Odds:

The oddsmakers give the Warriors a 13 point edge with a predicted over/under of 232.5 points.

Warriors Starters

Point Guard: Stephen Curry
Shooting Guard: Klay Thompson
Small Forward: Kevin Durant
Power Forward: Draymond Green
Center: DeMarcus Cousins

Warriors Bench

Point Guard: Shaun Livingston, Quinn Cook
Shooting Guard: Andre Iguodala, Jacob Evans, Damion Lee
Small Forward: Alfonzo McKinnie, Marcus Derrickson
Power Forward: Jonas Jerebko, Jordan Bell
Center:  Andrew Bogut, Kevon Looney

Injury notes

• Curry suffered a right ankle sprain late in the season but is expected to play.
• Draymond Green is dealing with left knee soreness and is listed as questionable for Game 1.
• Shaun Livingston has been limited by left knee soreness and is questionable for Game 1
• Damian Jones had surgery to repair a torn left pectoral muscle and is uncertain to return for the playoffs.

Clippers Starters

Point Guard: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander
Shooting Guard: Patrick Beverley
Small Forward: Landry Shamet
Power Forward: Danilo Gallinari
Center: Ivica Zubac

Clippers Bench

Point Guard: Jerome Robinson
Shooting Guard: Lou Williams, Garrett Temple, Tyrone Wallace, Sindarius Thornwell
Small Forward: Wilson Chandler
Power Forward: Montrezl Harrell, JaMychal Green
Center: 

Injury notes

• No injuries

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