LAS VEGAS – It’s here at last, the first meeting of the season between men who were on the same team last season but now will be on opposite ends of the court.
No, not Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook.
Steve Kerr and Luke Walton.
Kerr brings his Warriors (3-1) into T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night to face the Lakers (2-3), who five months ago hired Walton as their head coach largely on his showing as interim head coach for the Warriors last season.
With Kerr missing the first 43 games while recovering from two back surgeries, Walton, the team’s top assistant, led the Warriors to a 39-4 record – including an NBA record 24-0 start – before Kerr returned in January.
It’s the first of two preseason meetings between the teams, as they meet again Wednesday night in San Diego.
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Both teams are resting selected players, as the Warriors will sit forwards Andre Iguodala and David West, while the Lakers will sit guard Lou Williams.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 6.5
PROJECTED STARTERS
Warriors: F Kevin Durant, F Draymond Green, C Zaza Pachulia, G Klay Thompson, G Stephen Curry.
Lakers: F Luol Deng, F Julius Randle, C Timofey Mozgov, G Jordan Clarkson, G DeAngelo Russell.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: F Andre Iguodala (rest), F David West (rest), C Damian Jones (R pectoral surgery) and G Elliot Williams (R knee surgery) are listed as out.
Lakers: G Lou Williams (rest) and G Jose Calderon (L calf strain) are listed as out.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
Because Kerr and Walton know each other so well, expect both to play their cards close to the vest. In addition to two preseason games in five days, they meet twice in the first month of the regular season.
With Iguodala and West sitting out, it’s an opportunity for several others to attract notice. Shaun Livingston, who rested Friday night in Denver, likely will get most of Iguodala’s minutes while the others go to impressive rookie Patrick McCaw. With West out, JaVale McGee and James Michael McAdoo will see more time.
After playing an overtime game in Denver Friday night, the Warriors arrived in Vegas after midnight. Midnight in Vegas may as well be 6 p.m. So, um, lethargy is altogether conceivable.
