The Los Angeles Clippers Patrick Beverly (21) defends Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry (30) on Wed Jan 6, 2021 at Chase Center in San Francisco in their first of two meetings this week. (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors faced another team with aspirations to win the NBA championship this season. They had to face the Los Angeles Clippers coached by Tyron Lue. The Clips, still smarting from being eliminated by the Denver Nuggets in the playoffs last year, wanted to show everyone that they are a title contender.

Kawhi Leonard and Paul George are the team leaders. Their game plan was not to let Stephen Curry get easy shots and shut him down from three-point range. Their game plan worked as Curry could not his game going at all.

The Clippers defense held Curry to 13 points. He made one three in six tries, and he was two-for-four from the free-throw line. It was tough to think that Curry could miss two free throws in a game, but it happened. The game was close until halfway through the fourth quarter when the Clippers pulled away to win 108-101.

Neither team put on an offensive show in the first quarter. The Warriors defense held the Clippers to 21 points. On most nights, the Warriors would be ecstatic with such a performance. However, on Wednesday night, the Warriors offense floundered as they put a measly 15 points on the board to trail 21-15 after the first 12 minutes of play. 

The Warriors offense woke up in the second quarter. They outscored the Clippers 36-31 to close within one point 52-51 at the half. Eric Paschall, relishing his role coming off the bench, helped the Warriors get close. 

In the third quarter, The Warriors came back to take the lead 61-60 for the first time in the game. The lead didn’t last long as Los Angeles finished the quarter with a six-point advantage 83-77. The Warriors fought back to tie the game at 93.

Draymond Green committed a flagrant foul to send Kawhi Leonard to the charity stripe for two free throws and possession of the ball. Leonard made both free throws and was fouled again. He made both free throws to put LA ahead 97-93. The Clippers then made three threes to make put them ahead 106-97. They held on to win 108-101.

Game Notes and Stats: With the loss, the Warriors are 4-4 for the year. The Clippers are 6-3. 

Andrew Wiggins and Eric Paschall led the Warriors with 19 points each. Wiggins was 8-for-12 from the floor, and he connected on two threes. Paschall’s 19 points were a season-high, and he has scored in double figures for the sixth straight game. James Wiseman had ten points and four rebounds. Steph finished with 13. No other Warrior was in double figures.

The teams meet Friday night again at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 pm.