Zaza Pachulia, David West close to returning for Warriors

Zaza Pachulia and David West returned to practice Wednesday, going full speed in a five-on-five scrimmage. The Warriors need Pachulia, West and every healthy body they can find in the next two-plus weeks. Golden State begins its "second half" with the NBA's best record, at 47-9, but the schedule offers little chance to relax. After home games Thursday and Saturday nights, the Warriors embark on a stretch of eight games-in-13 days that is daunting even by the NBA's crazy travel standards. Five-game trip back East, come home for one, fly to Minnesota and then have a back-to-back in San Antonio. Here you go, Golden State, here's your marquee game against the Spurs on Saturday night on ABC, and it'll be your eighth game in (13) days with 10,000 miles. Pachulia and West could help Kerr manage the rotation and find some rest for players. West has missed the past 14 games with a fractured left thumb and Pachulia has missed the past eight because of a strained right rotator cuff. The Warriors listed both players as questionable to face the Clippers, though Kerr said there's a "good chance" they will play. Pachulia seemed encouraged after spending the All-Star break dutifully working out...