SAN DIEGO – NBA teams always sprinkle a few preseason games among cities without teams of their own in hopes of giving fans personal glimpses of the stars.
When the Warriors and Lakers meet Saturday night at Valley View Casino Arena here, spectators will see league MVP Steph Curry, rising star Draymond Green and former All-Star Roy Hibbert. The star power begins to dim after that.
All-Star guard Klay Thompson will not be in the arena, nor will center Andrew Bogut. Forward Harrison Barnes will be on site, but will not play.
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Furthermore, especially for an anticipated pro-Lakers crowd, future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant will not be in uniform.
[POOLE: Clark looks to nab Warriors' final roster spot]
The upside is that with so many key players either injured or unavailable, both coaches – Luke Walton for the Warriors and Byron Scott for the Lakers – have ample opportunity to evaluate those competing for playing time.
Fewer individuals are in that situation with the contending Warriors than with the rebuilding Lakers.
Golden State Warriors
OPENING LINE
Warriors by 6.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Warriors F Draymond Green vs. Lakers F Julius Randle. Many consider Randle, an imposing left-hander, as sort of a budding Zach Randolph 2.0. Green and Randolph, both Michigan State products, have engaged in fierce battles in the past. The Green-Randle battle could have an intriguing future.
WHERE THEY STAND
Warriors: 2-2
Lakers: 1-4
INJURY LIST
Warriors: F Harrison Barnes (R knee bone bruise) and F Kevon Looney (R hip surgery) are out. C Andrew Bogut (broken nose), G Jarell Eddie (R ankle sprain) and G Klay Thompson (attending a funeral) are not with the team.
Lakers: G Marcelo Huertas (R hamstring strain) is questionable. G Kobe Bryant (L leg contusion) is out.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors have won the last four preseason meetings, two in each of the past two years.
QUOTABLE
“It won’t be a lot of our normal guys, but whoever’s out there we expect, with the season right around the corner, that we compete and get after it like we did in our last game.” – Warriors interim coach Luke Walton