Clippers vs Warriors: Crucial Showdown

0:00It's March 2nd for the NBA. Let's get into it. Follow and subscribe for more team news every day. The Los Angeles Clippers broke their 3-game losing streak with a big win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night. They improved to 28 wins and 31 losses, climbing to 9th in the Western Conference. It was the first of their tough 18-game March schedule and they dominated from start to finish. Now they had straight to face the Golden State Warriors on Monday night with no rest. This match up could be the most crucial of their final 23 games. A victory would shrink the gap to the 8th seeded Warriors to just 1.5 games, while a loss would widen it to 3.5 games. The Warriors are banged up heading into the game. Steph Curry remains out with knee pain for at least 5 more games. Christoph's Porzingus has illness. Jimmy Butler is done for the season, rookie Will. Richard sits with an ankle sprain and Gary Payton the second is questionable. They just got crushed by 28 points by the Lakers on Saturday.

1:01Meanwhile, the Clippers look fresh after their easy win with no starters playing over 30 minutes. Kawaii Leonard seemed back to full-string post ankle injury and John Collins returned strong in 24 minutes. Best of all, Darius Garland makes his Clippers debut Monday after 6 weeks out, adding key playmaking even in limited time. This gives the Clippers a prime shot to grab the 8th seed and its play in edge where they get 2 chances to advance. A win Monday is the perfect kickoff to that push. The Daily News Now is presented by our sponsor. What is cooler than cool? A pillow that plays your sound? S-O-L-I-C-U-L-P-L-O dot com.