Preview: Lakers at Golden State Warriors

The Lakers (0-3) hope to avoid a four-game losing streak to start the season, but they’ll be seriously challenged on Saturday night when they visit the Golden State Warriors (1-0).

The Warriors demolished the Lakers twice in the preseason and will look to continue that trend in their home opener.

After two lackluster performances to start the season, the Lakers gave the Clippers a battle on Friday night before falling, 118-111. Playing the Warriors on the second night of a back-to-back will be a challenge.

The Lakers aren’t expected to have Nick Young (thumb), Julius Randle (broken leg), Steve Nash (back) and Ryan Kelly (hamstring).

David Lee sat out the Warriors’ first game with a hamstring strain. Brandon Rush has been sidelined with a back issue.

Key matchup

On Friday, the Warriors agreed to extend Klay Thompson’s contract for four year at the NBA maximum (exact figures to be determined next July).

Thompson is one of the league’s top two-way shooting guards. He and Stephen Curry make up a tremendous backcourt.

The Lakers are heavily reliant on Kobe Bryant’s scoring. If Thompson can match Bryant, the rest of the Lakers need to keep up with the rest of the Warriors -- not an easy task given Curry is an offensive threat almost anywhere on the floor.

Bryant scored 21 points against the Clippers but missed a number of key looks with the game winding down.

The challenge for the Lakers may be staying close enough for the fourth quarter to matter.

X-factor

Andrew Bogut isn’t a major offensive force for the Warriors, but he’s developed into a capable defensive presence in the middle.

Bogut blocked four shots in just 18 minutes in Golden State’s 95-77 win over the Sacramento Kings.

If Bogut can anchor the Warriors’ defense, the Lakers’ tenuous offense may falter.

Jordan Hill gave the Lakers one of the best offensive performances of his career on Friday, scoring 23 points on 10-of-15 shooting -- many on mid-range jump shots.

Hill has shown flashes of range, but not consistency. If he can be a consistent threat from mid-range, the Lakers’ offense should improve considerably.

Outlook

The Warriors may be a top-three team in the Western Conference this season and blitzed the Lakers in the preseason. There’s little reason to think that doesn’t continue on Saturday.

Email Eric Pincus at [email protected] and follow him on Twitter @EricPincus