Golden State @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 23, 2018 ) New York 112, Golden State 123

The Golden State Warriors showed off how good they can be on the offensive end in their first game back from the All-Star break and then showed off their defensive prowess in the second. The Warriors will try to put it together on both ends of the floor when they kick off a three-game road trip by visiting the New York Knicks on Monday.

Golden State, which dropped four of eight heading into the break, earned a 134-127 win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Thursday and limited the Oklahoma City Thunder to 35 second-half points in a 112-80 drubbing on Saturday. "We just didn't want to lose," Warriors All-Star Kevin Durant told reporters after beating his former team. "We know we can get beat by this team, obviously, if we don't come and play with force. We did that on both ends of the court." The Knicks aren't playing with much force while dropping nine of their last 10 games but are at least getting some encouraging performances out of young players. Point guard Trey Burke is making the most of his increased role since the All-Star break and scored 26 points in each of the last two games.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, NBATV, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (46-14): Center Zaza Pachulia was replaced in the starting lineup by JaVale McGee after the All-Star break but is still finding ways to make an impact on the court -- both positive and negative. Pachulia found himself in some hot water after appearing to intentionally fall on Thunder star Russell Westbrook's legs, an action that drew harsh criticism from Westbrook and several others. "No comment," Pachulia told ESPN when asked if the fall was intentional. "That's childish. Come on. I'm not responding to that."

ABOUT THE KNICKS (24-37): New York is sitting veteran point guard Jarrett Jack and splitting minutes at the position between Burke, Emmanuel Mudiay and rookie Frank Ntilikina. Burke has been the best of the bunch and is 22-of-41 from the floor while totaling 14 assists in the last two contests. "Trey's been excellent," Knicks coach Jeff Hornacek told reporters. "It's kind of that Kyrie (Irving) factor. When you have a point guard that can shoot 3s, can drive the ball and can kick it out to guys, it puts a lot of pressure on the defense."

BUZZER BEATERS

1. Warriors SG Klay Thompson went 1-of-11 from 3-point range on Saturday.

2. SF Troy Williams is 8-of-12 from the floor in two games since signing with the Knicks.

3. Golden State took the last seven in the series, including a 123-112 home win on Jan. 23.

PREDICTION: Warriors 125, Knicks 112