Scroll down to get insights and updates from the Warriors’ home opener against the Clippers on Thursday night.
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Clippers star Paul George certainly took notice of the Warriors’ impressive season-opening over the star-studded Lakers on Tuesday night, when they won despite Stephen Curry’s rare off-night shooting night. He knows the challenge that awaits Los Angeles Thursday night in Golden State’s home opener at Chase Center.
George watched as the Warriors unveiled a deep bench and a strong affinity for sharing the ball — they had assists on 30 of their 41 baskets — while humbling the Lakers while Curry shot just 5-of-21 from the field.
“They move the ball. It’s scary. Steph didn’t shoot it well, and they still win,” George told reporters.
The Warriors got huge contributions off the bench from Nemanja Bjelica (15 points, 11 rebounds), Andre Iguodala (12 points, solid defense) and Damion Lee (15 points) as their reserves scored a whopping 55 points.
The Clippers will be challenged this season with star forward Kawhi Leonard (knee) expected to miss most of the regular season. However, George and point guard Reggie Jackson proved last season they’re capable of stepping up in Leonard’s absence.
In eight games after Leonard’s injury late last season, George averaged 29.6 points, 11.0 rebounds, 5.6 assists and 1.4 steals. Jackson stepped in to become the Clippers’ No. 2 scorer as he increased his scoring from 15.2 points to 23.0 per game.
The Clippers will be without their top reserve, Nicolas Batum, who will miss Thursday’s game for personal reasons, the team announced. Batum played the most minutes of any Clipper last season.
Golden State is looking to open the season with back-to-back wins for just the second time since 2015.
GAME ESSENTIALS: Warriors (1-0) vs. Clippers (47-25 last year, lost to Phoenix in Western Conference Finals, 4-2), Thursday at 7 p.m. (PT). TV: TNT.
ODDS: Warriors -3.5.
LAST MEETING: Clippers beat the Warriors 130-104 at Staples Center on March 11, snapping a three-game losing streak behind Kawhi Leonard’s 28 points.
WARRIORS NEXT GAME: vs. Sacramento Kings, Sunday at 6 p.m. at Golden 1 Center.
Here are Thursday’s projected starting lineups:
Warriors
C Kevon Looney
PF Draymond Green
SF Andrew Wiggins
SG Jordan Poole
PG Stephen Curry
Clippers
C Ivan Zubac
PF Marcus Morris
SF Paul George
SG Eric Bledsoe
PG Reggie Jackson
Source: www.mercurynews.com