First Round: L.A. Clippers (3) vs. Golden State Warriors (6)

[INFORMER]

As much as the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors don't like each other, they're a lot alike in some ways.

There's an All-Star point guard on each side, they're both young and athletic, and each franchise is trying to distance itself from an inglorious past that cast them as afterthoughts for most of their years in the NBA.

The dislike between the teams goes beyond the Southern California vs. Northern California sense of superiority. They've tangled while splitting their four games this season, most famously on Christmas, when Blake Griffin was elbowed by Warriors forward Draymond Green.

In March, Griffin and Warriors backup center Jermaine O'Neal squabbled in a Clippers victory and it carried over after the game.

"I don't have Jermaine's number so I don't really talk to him," Griffin said Friday. "I don't know if there's a lingering issue or not."

With both teams having been down so long and now competing for a title, Clippers forward Matt Barnes said there's going to be "some hostility and animosity and hatred."

Read more: http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=400553078

[Mori Chu]

I have been watching a lot of Warriors games now that I live in the Bay Area. I just don't see this GSW team winning a playoff series. The team relies way too much on Curry pulling a basket out of his posterior in the closing moments. Bogut's out, which hurts them a lot. I think the Clips have slowly but surely gotten much better as a basketball team, from the players to the bench to the coach. And DeAndre Jordan has quietly improved a TON. He's become kind of a monster at center. Watch out for him in this year's playoffs. This is to say nothing of the impressive improvement that Blake Griffin himself has also shown.

With a frontcourt like that, I just don't see how the Warriors will come even close to keeping up. I almost predicted that LAC would sweep them, because I think they're that much better. But GSW's great home court crowd, and Curry's crazy heroics, made me feel that Golden State will probably at least steal 1-2 games. I still think there's no chance that the Warriors advance or even make it close.

[Ring_Wanted]

Bogut is down indefinitely, that's a huge factor. Despite what it may seem, the Warriors actually are a very good defensive team, and Bogut was a major part of it.

Anyway, I want to see Jordan protecting the Clippers. This season has made his salary actually within the realm of sanity. Griffin supposedly has taken the next step, will be cool for the league and fans if that's confirmed.

[Superbone]

After the Suns, the Warriors are my favorite team to watch but without Bogut, they don't stand a chance. The Warriors had an underwhelming season.

[Mori Chu]

Clips up big so far. 12-1. I think the Clippers are better than OKC and are the second best team in the West.

[TOO]

Really whistle happy refs making a good match-up really ugly.

[carey]

Yup, really whistle happy. Iggy just fouled out and there's still 3 min to go. Time for hack-a-Jordan.

[Mori Chu]

Iguodala just fouled out. 3 point game with 3 minutes left. Warriors are starting to hack-a-DeAndre. LOL. Jordan has had a really solid game overall. Too bad to see so many top players (Iggy, Blake Griffin, etc.) sitting due to foul trouble.

It would be HUGE if GSW could steal Game 1 in LA.

[Mori Chu]

Warriors up 2, with 24 seconds left. Exciting!

[carey]

I'm actually shocked GS didn't get hosed there.

[carey]

CPMe screwing up down the stretch. Love!

[carey]

Woot! GS wins!

[Mori Chu]

Wowwwwww! Warriors steal Game 1. Blake Griffin fouled out after playing only 19 minutes. Lots of weird / bad / ticky-tack foul calls in this game. Clips probably pissed about this one.

[SDC]

wish jermaine oneal stayed with the suns for one more season.

[Superbone]

Clips probably pissed about this one.

Awwwww. So sad.

[INFORMER]

Bogut is down indefinitely, that's a huge factor. Despite what it may seem, the Warriors actually are a very good defensive team, and Bogut was a major part of it.

Yeah, it has actually been their offense that has sputtered during stretches of the season.

Anyway, I want to see Jordan protecting the Clippers. This season has made his salary actually within the realm of sanity. Griffin supposedly has taken the next step, will be cool for the league and fans if that's confirmed.

That's Doc Rivers. Vinny Del Negro was winning with the Clips, but Griffin and Jordan were regressing. Doc knows how to get the most out of his players.

[SDC]

i reiterate... wish jermaine stayed with the suns for one more season...

[Superbone]

i reiterate... wish jermaine stayed with the suns for one more season...

WCF, baby! At least! Right?

[TOO]

i reiterate... wish jermaine stayed with the suns for one more season...

WCF, baby! At least! Right?

[SDC]

i reiterate... wish jermaine stayed with the suns for one more season...

WCF, baby! At least! Right?

at least, playoffs.