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Three takeaways from the LA Clippers’ Game 1 loss to Warriors

By Garrett Chorpenning

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors has words with Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. Both players were ejected later in the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 13: Kevin Durant #35 of the Golden State Warriors has words with Patrick Beverley #21 of the LA Clippers during Game One of the first round of the 2019 NBA Western Conference Playoffs at ORACLE Arena on April 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. Both players were ejected later in the game. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 13: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors drives past Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – APRIL 13: DeMarcus Cousins #0 of the Golden State Warriors drives past Montrezl Harrell #5 of the LA Clippers during Game One of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 13, 2019 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. (Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images) /

DeMarcus Cousins is the weakest link

Going into Game 1, a lot of people were unsure of what to think about how DeMarcus Cousins would perform in his first-ever playoffs appearance. The 28-year-old center never played up to his usual standard this season with the Golden State Warriors, averaging the second-fewest points per game in his career and recording a new low in rebounds per game.

It’s hard to criticize Cousins for that though, as he played just 30 games this season after returning from achilles surgery in mid-January. However, the Kentucky product has struggled to maintain consistency and has shot less than 28 percent from three-point range, an area where he’s been very effective over the last few years.

His performance made it clear that the LA Clippers will want to target him in Game 2.

Cousins fouled out in just 21 minutes of action on Saturday night, recording nearly as many turnovers (six) as he did points (nine). He also shot a mere 33 percent from the floor, and his -17 plus/minus rating was the lowest logged by any player on the Warriors.

Cousins struggled to defend the Clippers’ pick-and-roll action all night long and was an abysmal defender in the post, largely contributing to LA’s 40 points scored in the paint. Montrezl Harrell had no issue getting the most of him, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander rarely hesitated to drive towards the rim as well.

Depending on how Cousins does in Game 2, it’s reasonable to wonder whether or not Cousins will continue to start for the duration of the series. Backup big Kevon Looney was very effective in 16 minutes of action for Golden State, but I’m not sure if that’s the path the Warriors would want to take moving forward.

Either way, it seems the Clippers may have a significant advantage during the minutes Cousins is on the floor, and they’ll need to take advantage of him if they hope to win at least a game or two in the series.

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