76ers at Warriors
THE STORY: One guard returns while another departs as the Golden State Warriors face another shorthanded situation Saturday night against the visiting Philadelphia 76ers. Point guard Stephen Curry will be back in the starting lineup after missing Wednesday's 92-78 win over the New York Knicks with an ankle injury he aggravated the previous game against Chicago. Curry took part in non-contact drills Friday and declared himself fit to return. He'll lead an offense that will be missing backcourt mate Monta Ellis, who has returned to Mississippi for the funeral of his grandmother, who died Christmas morning. It isn't known when Ellis will be back with the team. The 76ers built a 13-point lead Friday night in Utah but frittered it all away, ultimately dropping a 102-99 decision to drop to 1-2 on the season. Saturday marks the fourth of a five-game season-opening road trip for the Sixers, who don't make their home debut until Wednesday night.
TV: 9 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Philadelphia, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area
ABOUT THE 76ERS (1-2): In a season where each team will squeeze 66 games into a four-month span, it's expected that playing time will be more spread out among star players and benchwarmers than in years past. When it comes to Andre Iguodala, that theory appears to be bunk. Iguodala has already racked up more than 39 minutes in two of the team's first three games - and his 28-minute showing in Wednesday's win was a result of the 76ers' big lead.
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (2-1): Golden State let things get away from it in a season-opening loss to the L.A. Clippers, but showed impressive defensive skills in subsequent wins over Chicago and New York. The Warriors limited the Bulls to 41.5 percent shooting on Monday, then held the Knicks to an even 40 percent from the field two days later. Opposing teams are shooting less than 30 percent from three-point range against Golden State so far.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The teams split two meetings last season, with the home side winning both times.
2. Iguodala has averaged 16.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.2 assists in 13 career games against the Warriors.
3. Ellis will be sorely missed Saturday after he scored 49 points and racked up 14 assists against the 76ers a season ago.