Los Angeles Clippers power forward Blake Griffin says there is no bad blood between Australian centre Andrew Bogut and himself despite a history of heated, physical contests.
The rivalry between the Clippers and Bogut's Golden State Warriors boiled over a year ago when Griffin was ejected after a dust up with Bogut earned him a second technical foul.
Griffin later labelled the Warriors' play as cowardly basketball while Bogut responded his team did whatever it took to win the game.
"I couldn't tell you what his motives are or anything like that, but those games are always heated," said Griffin on Sunday.
"There's a strong competition between the two of us (teams).
"Being from the same state, the same division and playing four times a year, playing against each other in the playoffs now, it's really heightened that.
"No, I wouldn't say bad blood, but I definitely think any time we play them it is going to be competitive and it is going to be physical."
With the Warriors beginning the season with an NBA-best 26 win, five loss record and the Clippers not far behind with 23 wins, 11 losses, the Western Conference rivals appear set to meet in the playoffs.
Bogut has not played since he went down with a knee injury on December 8 and Griffin said he hoped the Melbourne-born big man was back on the court soon.
"As a team we don't hide from anybody and personally I don't hide from anybody," Griffin said.
"You never wish for any team to deal with injuries."
Griffin, a four-time NBA All-Star, appears set to earn another invite to the February 15 All-Star game as he has the second-most votes behind the New Orleans Pelicans' Anthony Davis among West Conference frontcourt players.
Bogut, Patty Mills and Australia's other NBA players are not among the top vote getters, although rookies Dante Exum, Joe Ingles and Cameron Bairstow and sophomore Matthew Dellavedova could get invites to the All-Star weekend in New York for the Rising Stars game.
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