Game preview: Clippers vs. Golden State Warriors

The Clippers and Warriors have become fast rivals, building upon chippy play and an exciting first-round playoff series last year.

When the teams play at Oracle Arena on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Clippers star point guard Chris Paul said that fans can expect some good basketball.

“They got a lot of people back, they’re sharing the ball, moving the ball,” Paul said. “We already know after the playoffs last year it’s going to be a fun environment on Wednesday.”

Clippers and Warriors games have recently been characterized by a series of technical and flagrant fouls and heated exchanges.

When the Clippers played the Warriors last Christmas, Paul and Andrew Bogut got into a pushing-and-shoving match. In that same game, Griffin was ejected for elbowing Bogut in the head.

Griffin has called the Warriors “cowardly” and the Clippers opted to have separate times scheduled for chapel services before games.

After the Clippers knocked the Warriors out of the playoffs in Game 7 of the first round last year, some Warriors and Clippers players had a heated verbal exchange in the tunnel between the team’s locker rooms.

Both teams are considered top contenders in the Western Conference this season, and they’re both off to a good start.

The Warriors have started their season with a record of 3-0. They Clippers are 3-1.