Clippers vs Warriors recap: Three things to know

Mental edge belongs to Golden State

Where was the Clippers team that stormed out of the gate this season?

Apparently, they just didn’t show up.

Starting the game as bad as they did would cost any team, but against Golden State it’s a death sentence.

In the opening frame, the Warriors dropped 37 points to just 19 in the quarter by Los Angeles. It was a margin that, while eaten away from time to time, was only moved by a factor of one in the final score.

Outside of that first quarter, the game was played pretty evenly. Golden State was able to get comfortable early on though, even if it meant not being too hot from the three-point line.

In the other three quarters, Los Angeles held their opponent to under 30 points each time. It’s the latter part of the game where the Clippers show what they’re capable of — but in cases like tonight, it’s too little, too late.

Since Chris Paul’s first year with the team in 2011-12, the Clippers have just six wins and 15 losses to the Warriors.

Getting in the head of the Clippers is key to the Warriors knocking them out of the playoffs, should they find each other.

It’s safe to say that Los Angeles has their work cut out for them from here.