The Warriors remain undefeated in this playoff season so far, on the back of yet another fantastic performance by Draymond Green.
The Golden State Warriors took a two game series lead over the Utah Jazz Thursday with 115-104 win.
Since Durant’s return in the last round, the Warriors have been looking invincible, having not trailed in any of their last three games. However, they aren’t invincible and the last two games showed why.
On Tuesday night, Stephen Curry briefly left the game with an ankle tweak, scaring the daylights out of everyone. Tonight, Draymond Green briefly left the game with an apparent injury to his knee, once again, scaring the daylights out of everyone.
Both players eventually came back in the game, but on the heels of the Tony Parker injury, it just goes to show how quickly things can change for a player and a team and makes you appreciate them that much more.
Green had yet another great night. With 21 points, seven rebounds, six assists, four steals and a block, he continues to show why he is the heart of this team. Oh, and did I mention he also shot 5-of-8 from downtown, going back-to-back twice in the first quarter? Exactly what you were expecting when you tuned in tonight.
Kevin Durant also had a strong, versatile night. He led the team with 25 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists, a steal and a block, with 13 made free throws, nine of which came in the fourth quarter where they decided to play hack-a-Kevin, for some reason.
Stephen Curry had 23 points, four rebounds and seven assists and Klay Thompson had 14 points, six rebounds and six assists - each with two steals.
David West had a strong defensive performance in his 15 minutes, with seven rebounds, a steal and a decisive block. Meanwhile, Andre Iguodala was key to driving the game and continued to be a dunk-aholic, racking up 10 points, five rebounds and four assists (just pay no attention to the 3-point numbers, it’s fine).
The Warriors kicked this one off on a 12-3 run in the first three minutes. Thanks to smothering defense, by the end of the first quarter they had a 18 point lead and were making the Jazz question their life choices.
Utah kicked it up a notch in the second quarter, however, outscoring the Warriors by five. But when you only scored 15 points in the first quarter, you’re going to have a hard time catching up with this team.
Which they did, in the third quarter! Gordon Hayward had a game-high 33 points on the night and really took off in the second half, getting the Jazz within 10 points to end the third.
A quick Ian Clark flurry took the Warriors on a 7-0 run to start the fourth, and though the Jazz were able to get within seven, that was the closest they would get as the Warriors closed this one out with another win.