Brandin Podziemski

The Golden State Warriors got off to a hot start against the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday, but it wasn t enough.

Monday's game was a tale of two halves for Podziemski and the Warriors. Getting out to a fast start against a Clippers squad that played the night prior, Golden State led by as much as 17, and Podziemski scored 20 first-half points. The Clippers ramped up the defensive pressure after halftime, limiting Podz to two points and seemingly playing the entire half in transition because of their ability to force turnovers. Fantasy managers will certainly take Podziemski's final stat line, but they were likely hoping for more offense after his stellar first half.

While Brook Lopez isn't the force that he's been in seasons past, the Warriors still needed to match up with him defensively. As a result, Horford is in the starting lineup, pushing Gui Santos to the bench. While Steve Kerr's rotation can be unpredictable at times, Santos should still play plenty.

Los Angeles Clippers (28-31, ninth in the Western Conference) vs. Golden State Warriors (31-29, eighth in the Western Conference)San Francisco; Monday, 10 p.m. ESTBETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Clippers -1.5; over/under is 219.5BOTTOM LINE: Los Angeles plays Golden State in Western Conference action Monday.The Warriors are 21-18 in conference games. Golden State is eighth in the Western Conference scoring 115.6 points while shooting 46.2% from the field.The Clippers are 18-18 in conference play. Los Angeles is at the bottom of the Western Conference recording only 23.6 assists per game led by Kawhi Leonard averaging 3.7.The Warriors are shooting 46.2% from the field this season, 0.4 percentage points lower than the 46.6% the Clippers allow to opponents. The Clippers are shooting 47.9% from the field, 0.6% higher than the 47.3% the Warriors' opponents have shot this season.The teams meet for the third time this season. The Clippers won 103-102 in the last meeting on Jan. 6. Leonard led the Clippers with 24 points, and Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points.TOP PERFORMERS: Brandin Podziemski is averaging 12.2 points, 5.1 rebounds and 3.7 assists for the Warriors. Moses Moody is averaging 15.9 points over the last 10 games.John Collins is scoring 13.8 points per game and averaging 5.2 rebounds for the Clippers. Leonard is averaging 1.9 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Warriors: 4-6, averaging 110.2 points, 42.6 rebounds, 31.0 assists, 9.8 steals and 3.7 blocks per game while shooting 46.7% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 114.6 points per game.Clippers: 5-5, averaging 109.1 points, 39.9 rebounds, 23.2 assists, 9.1 steals and 5.2 blocks per game while shooting 48.2% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 109.6 points.INJURIES: Warriors: Kristaps Porzingis: day to day (illness), Jimmy Butler III: out for season (knee), Stephen Curry: out (knee), Seth Curry: out (back), Will Richard: day to day (ankle).Clippers: Bradley Beal: out for season (hip), Darius Garland: out (toe).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Melton and Green are back after sitting out Wednesday's win over the Grizzlies. As a result of their returns, Will Richard and Al Horford will come off the bench. Horford offers a slightly higher fantasy ceiling than Richard in their respective roles due to Kristaps Porzingis' continued absence due to illness.