LOS ANGELES — Western Conference powerhouses Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Clippers will collide at STAPLES Center, live on ESPN, ESPN3 and WatchESPN on Wednesday night.
The other nationally broadcast game on Wednesday is the clash between Eastern Conference rivals New York Knicks and the Cleveland Cavaliers at Madison Square Garden.
This matchup will also broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN3 and the WatchESPN app, and will be catering to the Spanish-speaking audience as well.
Golden State (18-3) has won six successive games over LA Clippers, but ESPN’s Basketball Power Index is giving Chris Paul and Co. a 52 percent chance to win against the Warriors tonight. Tip-off time at 10:30 p.m.
Watch NBA Replays on WatchESPN
- Replay: Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Chicago Bulls – Fri Dec 02, 2016
- Replay: Houston Rockets vs. Denver Nuggets – Fri Dec 02, 2016
The clash will see two of the league’s top offenses facing off, with the Warriors leading the NBA in points per game at 120.2 and the Clippers scoring 108.7 for sixth.
Golden State also leads the NBA in assists per contest with 32 and field goal percentage at 50.3 percent.
Meanwhile, the LA Clippers are allowing 99.1 points to opponents this and head into the game on an inconsistent run after losing four of the last six.
Los Angeles won two of the last three but is coming off a 111-102 defeat to the Indiana Pacers on Sunday night.
The following night, Klay Thompson scored a career-high 60 points in 29 minutes and the Warriors whipped these same Pacers 142-106.
“I’ve never seen anything like it,” Golden State forward Kevin Durant was quoted as telling the Bay Area News Group.
“In 29 minutes? And not even play the fourth quarter? That’s unheard of. I mean I’ve watched Kobe (Bryant) score (81) and 62 in three-quarters but to be on a team and be at the game and be on the sideline to watch it, that was crazy.”
These two teams have had some spicy battles in the past and the players, including Clippers forward Blake Griffin, is bracing for another challenge against “a top team in the league.”
“They’re a top team in the West, a top team in the league no matter what,” Griffin was quoted as telling the Los Angeles Times on Tuesday.
“Yeah, it’s a different type of game than if you’re playing the last seed in the East. Absolutely it is. I’d be lying to come in and just say it’s a regular game.
“Anytime there’s hype. … This is the most media I’ve seen before a game this whole season. Obviously, you guys will make it that.”
Cavaliers at Knicks
Before the game at Staples Centre, though, defending champions Cleveland Cavaliers head to New York to face the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The Cavaliers (14-5) are coming off a 116-112 win over the Toronto Raptors on Monday night, but have dropped three of the last four.
With shooting guard J.R. Smith out with a left knee hyper-extension, the Cavs will be hoping others will step up in support of the Big 3, LeBron James, Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.
Carmelo Anthony and Knicks have won four straight and beat the beat the injury-hit Miami Heat 114-103 on Tuesday night.
