Klay Thompson and the Warriors set to face the Clippers, NBA Playoffs Round 1

Apr 1, 2014; Dallas, TX, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) reacts during the game against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center. Golden State won 122-120. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Klay Thompson is set to start in his second straight playoff appearance.  The Golden State Warriors face the Los Angeles Clippers today at 12:30PM for the first game of round 1.

The Clippers are a tall task for any team but the Warriors seem to be their counter part.  The teams split their 4 game series this year and no love is lost between the two.  This goes way beyond the Nor Cal vs So Cal battle.  This is a battle for teams fighting to become a force in the NBA after so many years of being the afterthought.  We’ve seen plenty of fights between these two in the regular season and now the heat has picked up with this win or go home series.  You honestly couldn’t ask for a more exciting round 1.

Former Coug Klay Thompson set fuel to the fire by claiming that Blake Griffin flops a lot.  Klay will have to have a big series to support his star point guard Steph Curry in this one.  The Warriors also have a unique line up because of the injury to Andrew Bogut who will be sitting this one out.  The veteran Center Jermaine O’Neal will take his place and try to bother Blake Griffin enough to take away some of his effectiveness.

Speaking of Jermaine vs Blake, that is a match up to watch early as last time they went head to head they had a squabble that continued after the Clipper victory.  “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.” Just another example of how intense this series is set to be.

The Clippers will be tested mentally.  An interesting thing to watch early on is how cool they stay.  As a team who gets a lot of technicals in a high-risk, high-reward situation now, they have to be careful.  Blake Griffin himself has racked up 16 techs this year and Chris Paul has got a few of his own.  The Warriors know this and they know just how to ruffle their feathers, but will this play a role in this series?  We’ll just have to wait and see.

I suppose there really isn’t a need to list the reasons to watch this one, it will be well worth your time.  Good luck to Klay and as far as Coug fans go I know we all can’t wait to see him take the big stage for a second year in a row!