The Warriors will take on the Jazz
The Golden State Warriors finally know their opponent in the second round and it will be Rudy Gobert and the Utah Jazz starting on Tuesday.
After days of waiting, the Golden State Warriors finally know who their opponent is. It took seven games, but the Utah Jazz outlasted the Los Angeles Clippers. That series will start on Tuesday. The Warriors won the season series 2-1.
The Warriors swept the Portland Trailblazers in the opening around, but were waiting for the Jazz and Clippers series to play out. It looked like the Clippers had an advantage when Utah’s star center Rudy Gobert went down with a knee injury just seconds into Game 1. The universe equalized it, momentarily, by taking away Blake Griffin with a toe injury.
More from Blue Man Hoop
- 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
- Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
- 7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline
- Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court
Gobert returned and, despite Chris Paul’s best efforts, the Jazz were too much for them. They got production from a lot of different players, from Gordon Hayward to Joe Johnson. Golden State will have their hands full.
Normally, the amount of rest that Golden State got would be less than ideal. In the playoffs, it’s important to maintain a rhythm and momentum. They were on vacation for a week.
But with the injuries, the Dubs needed the rest. Kevin Durant played Game 4, but the Warriors want to be sure that his calf is completely healed. Matt Barnes and Shaun Livingston missed the entire first round, but it looks like they’re good to go now.
The Jazz are tougher than the Blazers were. They play much slower and can present matchup problems. Gobert is a monster down low, Boris Diaw seems to give Draymond Green trouble, and George Hill is phenomenal.
The Warriors will win this series unless everything completely falls apart. It just might not be as easy.