OAKLAND -- Still in search of a complete game, the Warriors will chase it once more Friday night when they face the Washington Wizards at Oracle Arena.
Coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 6:30, with tipoff scheduled for 7:35.
The Warriors (3-2) will be without backup point guard Shaun Livingston, who is out of town on a personal matter.
Though they lead the league field-goal percentage (51.1), the Warriors have not defended at the level they are accustomed to and have fallen behind or blown double-digit leads in every game this season.
The Wizards (3-1) opened the season with three consecutive wins before losing to the Lakers on Wednesday night Los Angeles.
BETTING LINE
Sports
Warriors by 12
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Stephen Curry vs. John Wall. This is always, always a captivating duel, the most memorable being the shootout in DC on Feb. 3, 2016, when Curry went for 51 and Wall for 41 in a 134-121 Warriors win. Curry declined to comment Thursday when asked about former All-Star Paul Pierce ranking him behind Wall on the list of current point guards. Expect the two-time MVP bring all the edge he needs.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: G Shaun Livingston (personal) is listed as out. C Damian Jones is on assignment with G-League Santa Cruz.
Wizards: C Ian Mahinmi (L ankle sprain) is listed as questionable. G/F Sheldon Mac (L Achilles surgery) and F Markieff Morris (sports hernia surgery) are listed as out.
SERIES HISTORY
The teams split the two-game series last season. The Warriors have won 11 of the last 13 meetings and 15 of the last 20.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
SMOKING SCOREBOARD: The Warriors have yet to rediscover the defensive mindset that served them so well last season; they rank 18th in field-goal percentage defense. The Wizards simply are short of terrific defensive players, which explains why they're 25th in the same category. Unless habits change, 250 points is conceivable.
HOT KLAY: Klay Thompson is off to perhaps the best start of his career: 21.2 points (51.9-percent shooting, 46.5 percent from deep). He'll compete against Bradley Beal, arguably the top shooting guard in East. Thompson has the longest active streak of games with at least one 3-pointer (59) and will continue donating $1,000 per point toward North Bay fire relief efforts. He needs 40 points to reach the 9,000-point mark for his career.
THE CHARITY STRIPE: The Wizards lead the league in made free throws and rank third in free throw attempts. Their propensity for drawing fouls could help them, as the Warriors have had difficulty avoiding needless fouls. The issue has been addressed, but expect their discipline to be challenged.
