Golden State brings the better record and higher power-index spot, but both teams will be without key backcourt options.
Golden State enters at 3-3 and 14th in the power index, while 1-4 Los Angeles sits 25th, giving the Clippers an early chance to gain ground. The Warriors average 116.7 points per game to the Clippers' 105.4, but Golden State will be without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. Darius Garland has 110 points and 31 assists in five games for LA, but his 27 turnovers make ball security the key matchup; De'Anthony Melton has hit 13 of 28 threes for the Warriors in six games. With Bradley Beal and Brandon Ingram also out for the Clippers, the team that protects possessions and finds reliable perimeter scoring has the clearest path to control the game.