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Warriors, Clippers trying to end struggles

Nov 15, 2008 - 11:22 AM Golden State (3-6) at LA Clippers (1-7) 3:30 p.m. EST

LOS ANGELES (Ticker) -- An air of familiarity will pass through the Staples Center on Saturday as the Golden State Warriors come to town to visit the Los Angeles Clippers. For Baron Davis, that is.

The Clippers' point guard will try to get his new team on track as he faces his old teammates in a Pacific Division tilt. The two-time All-Star spent the last four seasons with the Warriors - leading the club in scoring the last twice while spearheading one of the most explosive offenses in the NBA.

He opted out of his deal this summer and inked a five-year, $65 million contract with the Clippers. His move eight hours south hasn't made for a smooth transition just yet. After spending four years in Don Nelson's wide-open, run-and-gun system, he's still trying to learn Clippers coach Mike Dunleavy's slower, more rigid style. Not only that, but he's battled through finger and tailbone injuries as well.

Through eight games, he has just one win and 37.5 percent shooting to show for his big move.

The injury-plagued Golden State Warriors continue to struggle as well. They have stumbled out of the gate without key cogs Corey Maggette, Monta Ellis and Al Harrington, who has asked publicly to be traded.

Maggette signed a five-year, $50 million contract during the offseason to join the Warriors from the Clippers but played in only four games before suffering a hamstring injury. He returned on Thursday after missing four games and scored 13 points in 28 minutes, making 2-of-7 shots from the field as Golden State suffered a 107-102 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The Warriors will be without Harrington for at least the next two weeks while he tries to overcome back spasms. Ellis - who essentially inherited the team when Davis departed - was suspended by the team for the first 30 games after violating his contract when he suffered a knee injury in a moped accident in the offseason.

After claiming its lone win of the season on Sunday, Los Angeles returned to its poor form on Wednesday, dropping a 103-98 decision to the Sacramento Kings.