Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors preview

The Clippers will host the Golden State Warriors at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Staples Center.

The Clippers have won seven games in a row (by an average of 14.9 points) while the Warriors have won nine consecutive games (by an average of 18.3 points).

There are only eight games remaining in the regular season for the Clippers.

The Clippers (49-25) are in fifth place in the Western Conference, 11 1/2 games behind the first-place Warriors (60-13).

The Warriors, who have clinched the Pacific Division, set a franchise record for wins in Saturday’s 108-95 win at Milwaukee.

The teams have some recent chippy history. They were involved in a hard-fought seven-game first-round playoff series last season won by the Clippers. There’s a chance the teams could meet again this postseason in the second round.

The Warriors have lost their last four games at Staples Center against the Clippers.

The teams have met three times this season -- the Clippers winning on Christmas at Staples Center, 100-86, and losing to the Warriors in Oakland on Nov. 5 (121-104) and on March 8 (106-98).

“The Christmas games are always hyped up a lot and I’m sure this one will be too,” Chris Paul said. “But you’re playing at home, so you’ve got to take advantage of that. We’ll be all right. We’ll be ready.”