Programming note: Warriors-Wizards coverage starts today at 3pm with Warriors Pregame Live on CSN Bay Area, and streaming live right here.
When the Warriors last visited the nation’s capital, they also stopped at the White House to celebrate their 2015 NBA championship with President Barack Obama.
When they get to Washington on Tuesday, it’ll be strictly business, a game against the rampaging Wizards at Verizon Center.
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The Warriors (50-9) are making their second stop in a stretch in which they will play eight games in 13 days, across four different time zones.
Since starting the season 2-8 under new coach Scott Brooks, the Wizards (34-23) have gone 32-15 to climb into top-four playoff position. They are 21-7 since Christmas Day. Their 24-8 home record is fourth best in the NBA.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 6.5
Golden State Warriors
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Stephen Curry vs. John Wall: Two of the truly elite point guards in the NBA and these All-Stars waged a spectacular shootout last season in D.C., with Curry outscoring Wall 51-41. The Warriors can better survive an off night from Curry than the Wizards can from Wall. Klay Thompson also will make a few runs at Wall.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: No injuries listed. C Damian Jones is on assignment with Santa Cruz of the NBA Development League.
Wizards: No injuries listed.
LAST 10
Warriors: 8-2. Wizards: 7-3.
SERIES HISTORY
Sweeping the two-game series in each of the past two seasons, the Warriors have won four in a row and 10 of the last 11. They’ve won six straight in Washington, with the last loss coming on April 6, 2010.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
THE RETURN OF KD: Kevin Durant grew up in the D.C. area, giving the Wizards and their fans hope that upon gaining free agency he might come home. Though Durant still voices his love for the Beltway -- he has a Maryland tattoo -- he never seriously considered returning. He’ll have dozens of family and friends in the building, and it will be interesting to see how he handles it. He has been superb in spotlight games.
THE OTHER GUARDS: While most of the focus is directed at the Curry-Wall matchup, shooting guards Klay Thompson and Bradley Beal deserve their share of recognition. Thompson is widely considered the league’s No. 1 two-way shooting guard. Beal, coming into his own, is averaging 22.6 points to Thompson’s 22.0.
BEYOND THE ARC: The Warriors rank third in 3-point shooting percentage, the Wizards fifth. Washington s mall forward Otto Porter’s 45.8-percent mark leads the league. The Warriors, however, generally shoot more threes. They might have to take more shots, and make more, to hold off the home team.