OAKLAND -- Coming off a relatively breezy Game 1 win, the Warriors on Thursday night will try to take a 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series with Utah.
Though Stephen Curry tweaked his left ankle in Game 1, he is not listed on the team's injury report and showed no ill effects during morning shootaround or in his individual session afterward.
The Jazz, on the other hand, will be without starting point guard George Hill. Coach Quin Snyder would not commit to a replacement starter, with his options being Shelvin Mack, Dante Exum and Raul Neto.
BETTING LINE
Warriors by 13.5
MATCHUP TO WATCH
Golden State Warriors
Kevin Durant/Klay Thompson vs. Gordon Hayward: The Warriors did a fabulous job on Hayward in Game 1, holding him to 12 points on 4-of-15 shooting from the field. Though Thompson was the primary defender, Hayward saw plenty of Andre Iguodala and Durant, as well as some Draymond Green and Shaun Livingston. The Warriors will continue to rotate defenders. They'll also continue to make Hayward work on defense.
INJURY REPORT
Warriors: F Kevon Looney (L hip strain) is listed as out.
Jazz: G George Hill (L big toe soreness) is listed as out.
ROAD TO THE SERIES
The Warriors finished the regular season with the league's best record (67-15) and swept Portland in the first round.
The Jazz (51-31) finished with the No. 5 seed and in the first round eliminated the Clippers in seven games.
SERIES HISTORY
The Warriors posted a 106-04 win in Game 1. The teams met three times in the regular season, with the Warriors winning the first two games: 106-99 on Dec. 8 in Utah and 104-74 on Dec. 20 at Oracle Arena. The Jazz posted a 105-99 victory on April 10 at Oracle. The Warriors have won 14 of the last 16 meetings overall.
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
THE PACE GAME: The Warriors in Game 1 did a fine job of using snug, frenzied defense to goad Utah into speeding up its usually deliberate defense. That plan won't change, regardless of who is at point guard for the Jazz. Only three teams committed fewer turnovers than the Jazz in the regular season, yet the Warriors took command by forcing 10 giveaways in the first half.
THE BENCHES: That Warriors reserves were outscored 40-25 in Game 1 is deceptive, for they're generally joined by at least two starters. David West, Ian Clark and Iguodala were effective, while the Jazz got little from anyone besides Rodney Hood. Utah has to hope Iguodala (0-of-6 from deep) doesn't find his outside stroke.
THE 3-BALL BATTLE: While both teams took 29 shots from beyond the arc in Game 1, the Jazz made nine to the Warriors' seven. The Warriors ranked third in 3-point shooting percentage, the Jazz ninth. The likelihood is that the numbers will swing in favor of the Warriors.
