LOS ANGELES — This time, the Warriors did not need to worry about squandering a 31-point lead. Instead, the Warriors needed to worry about other things.
A competitive game. Steph Curry’s shooting and fouling issues. The Warriors’ mixed success in matching the Clippers’ intensity.
Yet, the Warriors still prevailed with a 113-105 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Sunday. The Warriors have a 3-1 series lead with a chance to close out in Game 5 on Wednesday at Oracle Arena. And they have no reason to waste that chance given they would likely play in the Western Conference semifinals against the Houston Rockets, which have a 3-0 series lead over the Utah Jazz.
“We didn’t want to extend this series any longer because we know how grueling the playoffs can be,” Klay Thompson said. “We already let one slip away, so tonight we came in with that mindset to put our foot on the throttle and not let go because we let go in Game 2. We won’t do that again the rest of the playoffs. I really believe that.”
Klay saved the day
At least Thompson made sure of it on Game 4 by scoring 32 points while going 12-of-20 from the field and 6-of-9 from 3. He apparently received inspiration by playing beach volleyball on Saturday with Jonas Jerebko and then jumping into the ocean.
“I know it will reset my mind, and it worked,” Thompson said. “I don’t know if I’m going to jump up north because it’s freezing, but something I’ll definitely contemplate if I don’t shoot the ball that well the rest of
the year, but hopefully that doesn’t happen.”
So did Kevin Durant
The Warriors’ other star in added 33 points under different circumstances. Thompson scored 27 first-half points and played a key role with the Warriors’ staggered unit in the fourth quarter without Durant and Curry. Meanwhile, Durant adjusted to a new defender in Clippers center JaMychal Green after the 6-foot-1, 185-poune Patrick Beverley spent the first three days trying to pester Durant. To adjust to the 6-foot-9, 227-pound Green, Durant mixed a blend of scoring from varying parts of the court.
“Just to keep the defense off balance and not be predictable out there,” Durant said. “I have to use the full body of my offensive talents, whether that’s coming off screens, pick and rolls being facilitator or scoring in the post. I have to dive deep into the bag.”
What up with Steph’s fouling?
Curry has faced one of his toughest opponents in this playoff series – the whistle. Curry collected four fouls in Game 4 after also having foul trouble in Games 1 (four), 2 (four) and 3 (five).
“Steph sometimes loses focus,” Kerr said. “He’s such a fascinating player because the same thing that makes him not hesitate to shoot a fadeaway 30-footer maybe is the same thing that gets him in foul trouble. He doesn’t overthink much, and he’s gotten into a habit lately of reaching.”
As if that wasn’t enough, Curry also had only 12 points while going 3-of-14 from the field and 1-of-9 from 3. The Warriors downplayed those numbers because Curry also had 10 rebounds and seven assists. They are also mindful it only takes one shot for Curry to go on a shooting streak again.
“You trust that he’s going to impact the game because he’s such a great player whether his shots are going in or not,” Kerr said. “Tough day for Steph, but this is the way the game goes. Guys sometimes have a huge night, sometimes they struggle, but the great players like Steph, Kevin, Klay, they bounce back pretty quickly from tough shooting nights. So that’s what I would expect on Wednesday.”
The Warriors’ staggered bench unit and Death Lineup clinched the win
Kerr opened the fourth quarter without Curry and Durant for a few reasons. One, Curry had played the entire third quarter and had three fouls. Two, Durant entered the fourth quarter already at 30 minutes to account for Curry’s foul trouble.
Yet, the Warriors’ staggered fourth-quarter unit managed well with Thompson, Shaun Livingston, Alfonzo McKinnie, Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut. A one-point lead soon morphed into an eight-point cushion. Then Kerr inserted the Warriors’ four All-Stars with Iguodala to close out the final 5:43 to account for center Andrew Bogut fouling out.
The Warriors closed out the game with a 11-6 run mostly because of Durant. He had a dunk off of an after timeout play. He set up Iguodala for a fast-break dunk. Then Durant made a dagger 3 for a 111-100 lead with 1:53 remaining. He then finished off with a dunk for a 113-101 cushion with 1:31 left.
“The last part of the third and the early fourth were really important moments for us in the game,” Kerr said. “The guys who came in to start that fourth did and excellent job executing. We got some good buckets and some stops and kept the game going for us.”
Warriors not concerned about Draymond Green’s splint
Green walked out of the locker room wearing a splint on his right hand. The Warriors said he has nursed that splint in recent days, but insist he feels fine. So much that the Warriors have not listed him on the injury report.