The Golden State Warriors blew out the Los Angeles Clippers, 132-105, at Staples Center on Thursday to take a 2-1 series lead in the Western Conference first-round playoffs.
After losing big man DeMarcus Cousins (quad) for the remainder of the postseason and allowing the largest comeback in playoff history in Game 2, the Warriors (2-1) came back in emphatic fashion on Thursday. The Warriors scored 41 first-quarter points, quickly establishing a commanding double-digit lead. By the third quarter, LA (1-2) trailed by as much as 35. The Clippers couldn't pull off the seemingly impossible this time, and Golden State was able to rest its starters for the fourth quarter as the game concluded in a blowout.
Kevin Durant led the way with 38 points in only three quarters of action. Veteran center Andrew Bogut, starting in Cousins' stead, added 14 rebounds and five assists. The Warriors also saw 21 points on 7-of-11 shooting from Steph Curry.
On the other end, the Clippers shot only 36.6 percent as a team in the brutal loss. LA's starting five combined to score just 56 points in total on Thursday. The team's leading scorer was Ivica Zubac, who also led the team with 15 rebounds.
Game 4 will take place on Sunday evening at Staples Center.
