Warriors vs. Clippers Was A Playoff Series For The Ages
By Eric He
Apr 29, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) attempts to move the ball defended by Los Angeles Clippers forward Blake Griffin (right) and Los Angeles Clippers guard J.J. Reddick (left) during the second quarter in game five of the first round of the 2014 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports
Game 5 – LAC 113 – GSW 103 (Clippers lead 3-2)
Having a better conscience now that their racist owner would be condemned accordingly, the Clippers won Game 5 by double-digits, in front of a supportive crowd.
If there was a game where the Warriors needed Bogut, it was this one. They got absolutely crushed on the boards and down low by the Clippers’ Griffin and DeAndre Jordan. Jordan had himself the game of his life, scoring 25 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. Griffin added 18 points, making several tough jumpers in the fourth quarter to seal the deal.
The Clippers controlled the game throughout, and the only glimmer of hope for the Warriors came in the third quarter when Curry stole the ball and drilled a transition three to put Golden State ahead 70-69.
But it was all downhill from there. The Sterling controversy was seemingly over, the Clippers played like the Clippers once again, and the Warriors were one game away from elimination.
Game 6 — GSW 100 – LAC 99 (Series tied 3-3)
With their backs against the wall, the Warriors stood tall and forced a Game 7.
Curry recovered from a sub par Game 5 by leading all scorers with 24 points. Iguodala had a big 15-point contribution, including a key four-point play opportunity in the fourth quarter.
Thus far, all the games in this series had been decided either via blowout or nail-biter. Games 1, 3, and 6 were close and could have gone either way, while Games 2, 4, and 5 clearly favored one team.
But it was time for Game 7. Would it be close, or would it be a blowout? Would the Warriors come back and defeat their SoCal rivals?
One thing was for certain: the focus was now 100 percent on basketball. Yes, Sterling was fuming, promising to fight the punishment and sue the NBA. But to the Clippers and Warriors, he was gone, banned for life.
The focus was on basketball and Game 7, and boy was it a great game.