Warriors vs LA Clippers – 2019 NBA Playoffs WCR1 Game #3
2019.04.18 (Warriors vs. Clippers) WCR1 Game #3 – See video & blog below
Durant on Fire! Warriors rout Clippers 132-105 lead series 2-1
Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant (35) drives to the hoop against Los Angeles Clippers’ Patrick Beverley (21) in the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA first round playoff series at Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Thursday, April 18, 2019. (Anda Chu/Bay Area News Group) – See video & blog below.
2019.04.18 – Kevin Durant scored 38 points, Stephen Curry added 21 playing with five fouls, and the Golden State Warriors rout the Los Angeles Clippers 132-105 and take a 2-1 lead in their first-round playoff series.
“He came out super-aggressive, in kill mode,” teammate Draymond Green said of Durant. “That was all the difference for us. We took control of the game right there in the first quarter and never lost control of it.”
The Warriors began the game on a 22-9 tear and went on to shoot 73% from the floor in the first, taking the crowd out of it early.
Durant was perfect, making all five of his field goals and both free throws for 12 points. He and Curry picked up two fouls each, but the Warriors still built a 19-point lead.
“As much momentum as we lost in the final 16 minutes of Game 2, we got it all back early,” Curry said. “Everybody was aggressive, decisive, getting good shots on every possession. The way we went about our business was the sign of a resilient team.”
Durant had 27 points at halftime despite not making a 3-pointer.
Unlike his Game 2 performance, Durant looked more for his shot and finished with 38 points while going 14-of-23 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line after sitting through the entire fourth quarter.
Not only did this serve as a redemption game for Durant, who had more turnovers (nine) than shots (eight) in the Warriors’ Game 2 loss. This also served as a redemption game for the Warriors.
Kevon Looney, again filling in for injured DeMarcus Cousins, shot 4 for 4 in the first, dunking three times in a row.
Golden State coach Steve Kerr had said he wanted Durant shooting much more than the eight times he did in Game 2. When relayed his coach’s comment earlier in the week, Durant replied, “I don’t play like that. I’m Kevin Durant. You know who I am.”
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said following Wednesday’s practice that Durant “needs to be more aggressive.” Kerr added: “I want to see him get 20 shots, 30.”
Durant dismissed that notion, saying “ I’m not going to just go out there and just go up for 20 or 30 shots.”
Kerr clarified his argument on Thursday, indirectly citing Durant’s average field-goal attempts with the Warriors in 2016-17 (16.5), 2017-18 (18) and this season (17.7).
“The main thing is be really aggressive,” Kerr said. “I threw out 20 (shots) or 30 yesterday. That’d be fine with all of us. But he’s also a great passer and great distributor. The biggest thing is just attacking and scoring. If they are loading up on him, find somebody else. Just being engaged and aggressive.”
“He’s Kevin Durant. He’s one of the great players in the league,” Kerr said. “He is the most skilled basketball player on Earth. He’s been an MVP and a two-time Finals MVP. A guy like him generally comes back after a tough night and plays at a very high level.”
The Clippers won Game 2 on the road after trailing by 31 points in the third quarter, stunning the Warriors with the largest comeback in NBA playoff history.
But they couldn’t find the basket this time, shooting 37% from the floor.
“They dissected us,” Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. “You kind of felt they were going to come in and throw a punch, and we just didn’t respond.”
The Clippers’ only starter in double figures was rookie Ivica Zubac, who finished with 18 points after playing most of the fourth. Patrick Beverley, a defensive pest guarding Durant in Game 2, was limited to six points, four fouls, one rebound and no assists in 18 minutes.
Lou Williams had 16 points, and Montrezl Harrell and JaMychal Green added 15 each off the bench.
Los Angeles never led and failed to put together any kind of sustained run.
“We just got our (rear) kicked,” Williams said. “That’s it.”
Golden State’s biggest run came in the third at the same time Curry was whistled for his fourth foul. The Warriors scored 14 straight points to lead 88-57. Durant and Green got hit with offsetting technicals during the spurt. Durant laughed it off and sank a jumper from the left corner seconds later.
“We were conversing about the play that happened before. Somebody came out of nowhere and checked us both,” Durant said. “That was pretty quick. Hopefully they rescind that one because I don’t want anybody to think that somebody’s in my head, that’s why I got that tech.”
The Warriors extended the margin to 35 on Alfonzo McKinnie’s 3-pointer late in the period.
TIP-INS
Warriors: Curry is five 3-pointers away from become the first player to make 400 postseason 3s. … They controlled the boards, 50-43, led by Andrew Bogut with 14. … They had 35 assists.
Clippers: Kentucky coach John Calipari sat in the second row to support his former player Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who finished with seven points. … Floyd Mayweather, Meek Mill, Scottie Pippen and Sheila E. with her dad Pete Escovedo were in the crowd.
AWAY FROM HOME
The Warriors set an NBA record by winning at least one road game in each of their last 20 playoff series.
HE SAID IT
“I took a little vacation in the second half.” — Curry on his foul trouble.
UP NEXT
Game 4 is Sunday in Los Angeles.
Read more at: Golden State Warriors Media Services / More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA
JEstevez@EMIsportsCentral.com
For more on the Golden State Warriors, see the blog at www.EMIsportsCentral.com
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