Staples Center Hosts Clippers and Warriors
The Golden State Warriors (57-25) find themselves with their backs to the wall as they return to L.A. to face the dogged Clippers (48-34) after getting dropped at home on Wednesday night, 129-121. The loss came despite a monster performance by Kevin Durant, who shot 14-of-26 from the field and 5-of-12 from deep on his way to a team-high 45 points, adding six assists and six rebounds along the way. Stephen Curry came away with 24 points, shooting 7-of-15 from the pain and 4-of-5 from behind the arc, facilitating four assists, while Klay Thompson delivered 22 points and four triples. Despite 38 minutes of floor time, Draymond Green had a relatively subdued outing with seven points and seven boards for a Warriors team looking to avoid their first opening round seven-game series since 2014, when they fell to the Clippers.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, were lifted by another dominating bench performance by Lou Williams, who has been a boon for the team all season, finishing the night with 33 points to his credit, going 12-of-19 from field goal range, making all but one of his attempts from the charity stripe, and doling out 10 dimes on his way to a double-double. Danilo Gallinari starred in a starting role, putting up 26 points, grabbing seven rebounds and shooting 9-of-22 from the field, while Patrick Beverley logged a double-double behind 17 points and 14 boards, nailing a team-best five three-pointers. Montrezl Harrell complemented Williams' performance off the pine on the strength of 11-of-14 field goal shooting, hauling in five rebounds in the process, while JaMychal Green posted 15 points and three triples. The Clippers haven't won a Playoff series since 2015, when they ousted the San Antonio Spurs in the first round in seven games.
Los Angeles, meanwhile, were lifted by another dominating bench performance by Lou Williams, who has been a boon for the team all season, finishing the night with 33 points to his credit, going 12-of-19 from field goal range, making all but one of his attempts from the charity stripe, and doling out 10 dimes on his way to a double-double. Danilo Gallinari starred in a starting role, putting up 26 points, grabbing seven rebounds and shooting 9-of-22 from the field, while Patrick Beverley logged a double-double behind 17 points and 14 boards, nailing a team-best five three-pointers. Montrezl Harrell complemented Williams' performance off the pine on the strength of 11-of-14 field goal shooting, hauling in five rebounds in the process, while JaMychal Green posted 15 points and three triples. The Clippers haven't won a Playoff series since 2015, when they ousted the San Antonio Spurs in the first round in seven games.