The Golden State Warriors and San Antonio Spurs will tip off the 2018 NBA postseason Saturday, and JaVale McGee is expected to have a place in the starting lineup.
ESPN’s Chris Haynes reports the Warriors plan to start McGee at center in Game 1 against the Spurs.
McGee opened 17 contests for Golden State during the regular season, averaging 6.8 points and 4.0 rebounds over 13.8 minutes in those games. When he came off the bench, the 7-footer provided 4.0 points and 2.1 boards in 7.9 minutes.
So, it’s fair to expect McGee will hold a relatively significant role. He also played relatively well against the Spurs in the four previous matchups, providing 6.0 points and 3.3 rebounds per game.
McGee’s above-the-rim athleticism should be a plus opposite Spurs center Pau Gasol, who isn’t much of a leaper at 37 years old.