The Golden State Warriors, who secured the West’s top seed, were given the easiest first-round matchup in the Los Angeles Clippers.
The first round of the NBA playoffs should be deemed a failure for the Golden State Warriors if they don’t close out the series in four games. While that’s a lofty statement, it’s one that every Warriors’ fan should believe.
This season, the two teams have met four times, three of them being won by Golden State. Two of the three were a blowout for the Dubs while the other two came down to the wire. However, time and time again, we’ve seen Golden State step up in the intensity in the postseason.
It’s also of slight importance that the one time the LA Clippers defeated Golden State they started both Marcin Gortat and Tobias Harris, who players no longer on the team. While the Clippers may have made wise decisions around the deadline, their team certainly got worse because of them.
For Golden State, getting amped for first-round matchups may be difficult, but if they sweep through the road, they’ll have time to prepare for the Houston Rockets, who will likely down the fifth-seeded Jazz.
The Dubs need that extra time, but they, more importantly, need to get through the first round with ease. This team is a team full of superstar talent. They have two of the league’s top-5 players and arguably five of the league’s top 30.
With injuries factoring in as well, the Dubs were able to reign supreme in the Western Conference. That said, the biggest enemy in their first-round matchup with the Clippers will be themselves.
Can they play unselfishly? Can they knock down routine looks? Can Curry stay on the court for 35+ minutes? If the Warriors play to their full potential each time they take the court, this series with be over in just a few short games.
This team, in some ways, resembles the 2017-2018 San Antonio Spurs, who were downed by the Dubs after five games in last year’s first round. The Dubs dropped one on the road, a game they probably should’ve won.
The Clippers will pose a similar threat. They have an electric scoring machine in Lou Williams. They don’t have that deep, experienced lineup that’ll thrive in the postseason though. Much of their game will rely on the play of Williams. Shut him down, shut them down.
This will be a good first-round matchup for Golden State, but they should encounter no problems with the LA Clippers.