Play-In experience for the Clippers: 0-2. They lost both Play-In games in 2022 to Minnesota and New Orleans.
Play-In experience for the Warriors: 1-3. They won the seventh seed last year against Memphis. They lost to Sacramento to get ousted in 2024 and lost to the Lakers and Grizzlies in 2021.
Best storyline for the game: Either Kawhi Leonard or Steph Curry will be eliminated from a chance at a postseason spot with a loss here. Kawhi is 34, and Steph is 38.
How’d the season series go? How relevant was it? The Clippers won the series 3-1, with the final game on the final day of the season. Only one game happened before the Clippers’ turnaround.
Key matchup: Curry against Darius Garland. Curry is still coming off a knee injury, and Garland is giving the Clippers a lot on offense. If he can match Curry, the Clippers will be in a great position to win.
Key stat: Turnovers. Both of these teams are in the bottom 10 in turnover rate, but the Warriors are fifth-best at forcing turnovers. The Clippers are middle-of-the-road. Who will give the game away, and who will take it?
Who should the Thunder want to win? I’m not sure they’ll even know these teams are here. It’s going to be a sweep regardless.
Prediction: Clippers by seven.
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