OAKLAND -- Draymond Green will join his teammates for the first time in two weeks Friday night, when the Warriors face the Lakers in the first of three games in a period of 65 hours.
Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 6:30, with tipoff at Oracle Arena scheduled for at 7:35.
The Warriors (25-6) have managed to push their win streak to 10 despite Green -- as well as Zaza Pachulia and Stephen Curry -- missing the last five games of the run. With the Nuggets looming Saturday afternoon and the Cavs on Monday afternoon, the Warriors are grateful for any reinforcements.
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The Lakers (11-18) are coming off an impressive win, where on Wednesday they snapped the Rockets’ win streak at 14 in Houston. LA is 3-3 over its last six games, with two of the losses in overtime and the other coming in Cleveland.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 11
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant vs. Brandon Ingram: It was only four days ago that these two faced off, with Durant totaling 36 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and three blocks while Ingram posted 19 points, six rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals. While Durant was plus-1, Ingram was plus-11. It’s two similar physiques with similar skill sets, and Durant, 29, is the player that Ingram, 20, aspires to be. Durant will want to improve on that 10-of-29 shooting night this week in LA.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: F Andre Iguodala (flu-like symptoms) is listed as probable. G Shaun Livingston (R knee soreness) and C Zaza Pachulia (L shoulder soreness) are listed as questionable. G Stephen Curry (R ankle sprain) is listed as out.
Lakers: C Brook Lopez (R ankle sprain) is listed as out.
LAST 10
Warriors: 10-0.
Lakers: 4-6.
GAME OFFICIALS
Ed Malloy (crew chief), Josh Tiven and Scott Twardoski.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors won the first two meetings this season, both in overtime: 127-123 on Nov. 29 in Los Angeles and 116-114 on Dec. 19 in LA. The Warriors have won five in a row over the Lakers and 13 of the last 16 overall. They have won nine straight in Oakland.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
THE PACE: With Curry and Green out, the Warriors have experienced drops in both offensive rating and pace. After averaging nearly 118 points through their first 26 games, the Warriors are at 107.6 over the last five. Green specializes in pushing the pace, but will he have the stamina? And even though the Warriors prefer a fast tempo, no team in the league plays at a faster pace than the young Lakers.
THE POINT GUARDS: With Curry out and Livingston possibly unavailable, the Warriors lean on Pat McCaw and Quinn Cook against highly publicized Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball. McCaw started Monday and could get the call again. That could change if Iguodala is not available. Ball had 16 points, six assists and six rebounds on Monday, while Cook and McCaw combined for two points, four assists and five rebounds. A repeat would once again make things difficult for the Warriors.
THE GIFTS: Only three teams commit more turnovers than the Warriors (16.2 per game), and one of them is the Lakers (16.7). The Lakers through giveaways are handing opponents an average of 18.9 points per game (third-highest in the league). The Warriors are gifting an average of 17.8 points per game, eighth highest. Green’s return could help, but it’s a lot to ask of him to be on his game.