Warriors vs Clippers Play-In preview: Lineups, storylines, predictions
Can the battered Warriors put together a postseason run or will the Clippers continue to claw their way to contention after a 6-21 start?
The long-awaited NBA postseason is here, beginning with the win-or-go home NBA Play-In Tournament . The Golden State Warriors go on the road, just under 400 miles down Intestate 5, to face the Los Angeles Clippers in an elimination game at Intuit Dome on April 15 . Both teams enter this do-or-die game battered and bruised after a long, 82-game season.
The Warriors lost key players, Jimmy Butler and Moses Moody, both out for the season. Stephen Curry missed 27 consecutive games for Golden State with a nagging runner's knee injury, but he came back with a handful of games remaining in the regular season to help boost the Warriors' chances of advancing in the playoffs. The Clippers started their season 6-21 and were written off by many, except themselves.
They rallied to finish the season 42-40. Along the way, the Clippers were led by their All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard, who played 65 games and averaged 27. 9 points on 50.
5% from the field, 38% from 3 and 89% on free throws. The Clippers made a trade deadline acquisition, sending James Harden to the Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Darius Garland, a dynamic point guard who fits their future timeline. It's a do-or-die situation in the NBA Play-in Tournament.
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