The brewing rivalry between the Golden State Warriors and the Los Angeles Clippers has provided some entertainment over recent years. The two teams are battling it out in the Pacific Division creating a California rivalry simply because they do not like each other. As the Clippers remain the best in their division, the Warriors intend to put them to the test on the road.
These two teams met up on Christmas Day, a game that featured two ejections, two flagrant fouls and three technical fouls as the Clippers fell the Warriors. Los Angeles remains on top of the division as they prepare for was is likely to be another physical matchup. The teams have not seen each other since the testy matchup, leaving many to wonder if there is lingering bad blood.
The two teams have been heated with one another over the past two seasons in which both franchises have greatly improved their records. In the Christmas Day game, both Draymond Green and Blake Griffin were fouled for elbowing and both were ejected. Andrew Bogut also got in on the action, receiving a flagrant and a technical for fighting with Griffin. Head coach Doc Rivers later accused the Warriors of fighting on purpose with the intentions of getting Griffin out of the game quickly.
Right now, the Clippers are Golden State's biggest competition. The Warriors sit five games behind Los Angeles in the Western Conference and Phoenix in the division. With the Lakers likely out of the running, the division comes down to Golden State and Los Angeles. Both teams have had their playoff runs cut short over the past two seasons and will look to break that this year. Golden State and the Clippers will meet for a final time in March before the postseason begins.
Watch Los Angeles vs. Golden State, click here.
