Preview: Clippers host the still unbeaten Golden State Warriors

Paul Pierce knows the Clippers will be up against difficult odds when they host the undefeated Golden State Warriors on Thursday evening.

The reigning NBA champions have opened their season with 12 straight wins, something that Pierce says puts the Warriors in a unique spot.

“You just feel like nobody can play with you guys,” Pierce said of the Warriors on Wednesday. “You feel like nobody can beat you. You feel like any team that takes a lead on you, you can always come back.

“It’s just like probably any fighter, when he gets hit and goes down, he probably still feels like, ‘I’m still going to win this fight.’ That’s just their feeling, and they’ve earned it.”

The Clippers have had a much slower start, having lost four of their past six games. They’ve been without starters Chris Paul (strained right groin) and J.J. Redick (back spasms) in their two most recent contests, and both players are doubtful to play against the Warriors.

Said Clippers Coach Doc Rivers on Wednesday: “I would say neither are probable, but we’ll see.”

When the Clippers played the Warriors in Oakland on Nov. 4, the game came down to the final minute, with the Warriors winning, 112-108. Paul actually sustained his groin injury in the final minute of that game.

The teams are bitter rivals, and have had a lengthy history of both verbal battles and on-court chippiness. Pierce said that Thursday’s game will be especially challenging because the Warriors have confidence on their side in light of their lengthy winning streak, something he says is of the utmost importance.

“I think that’s 90% of the game right there,” Pierce said.

Follow Melissa Rohlin on Twitter @melissarohlin