We’ll find out just how ready Clippers are for the Warriors

The Clippers will be in deep waters when they travel to Golden State to take on the defending-champion Warriors on Wednesday/Staff photo by Michael Owen Baker

 

The Clippers and Golden State Warriors are both 4-0. But while the Clippers have struggled to put teams away, the Warriors have shown killer instinct in the form of a 50-point win (119-69) victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Monday.

While that was happening, the Clippers were losing all of a 14-point third-quarter lead to eventually win by six (102-96) over the Phoenix Suns at Staples Center.

Ready or not, the Clippers on Wednesday night will take on the defending NBA-champion Warriors at their wild and crazy Oracle Arena in Oakland (on Prime Ticket, ESPN).

“We have to go out there and compete,” point guard Chris Paul said following Monday’s win. “Obviously, they are the defending champions and a very tough team to beat at home, but we have to go in there with our game plan and be ready to play.”

Blake Griffin apparently had heard of Golden State handing Memphis its worst loss in franchise history when he spoke post-game Monday.

“Golden State is a good team,” the power forward said. “I have not seen any of their game (against Memphis) yet, but we know what they are. They are very confident and very lethal right now. So we’ll go over some things before Wednesday and be ready to go.”

The Warriors have terrific and passionate fans. The Clippers seem to bring out the best – or worst, depending on your point of view – in them. DeAndre Jordan can’t wait.

“I am looking forward to the competition,” Jordan said. “Two teams that want to beat up on each other.”

In more ways than one.