Though it was all coincidental, the NBA did a phenomenal job simulating a near-playoff environment for the LA Clippers and Golden State Warriors to go to war in. They were two teams desperately trying to hold the other off, but the Clippers exited Chase Center with a five-point win in overtime.
For LA, the only players head coach Tyronn Lue had who were making a positive impact were Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, Ivica Zubac, and Kris Dunn. These guys did virtually everything on both sides of the ball, which overpowered Stephen Curry, the greatest three-point shooter in the history of the NBA.
Harden, determined to win in the extra frame, scored a game-high 39 points, 10 assists, seven rebounds, two steals, and two blocks in 48 minutes. He stayed calm when the intensity inflated, preventing the game from getting out of control.
Likewise, Leonard played 47 minutes, which was extraordinary step to take by Lue, and posted 33 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and three steals.
Dunn, more known for defense, was perfect from the floor in 35 minutes, posting 11 points, six assists, and three steals, while Zubac constantly drew double-teams and still dropped 22 points and 17 boards.
Moreover, LA’s ‘Big 3’ of Harden, Zubac, and Leonard detangled the Warriors’ elite defense, anchored by Draymond Green and Jimmy Butler.
The Clippers displayed their potential as a threat in a tense match with the Warriors
Jimmy Butler may have had a great game, and Stephen Curry may have lived up to the moment, but Tyronn Lue trusted the defensive scouting report, highlighting turnovers. This was the Golden State Warriors’ kryptonite.
Despite draining eight triples and scoring 36 points, Curry had eight turnovers, which is abysmal in a setting as such. The Clippers could only do this with Kris Dunn, who was told to stay out of foul trouble, as the coaches expected a toe-to-toe contest.
Furthermore, the Clippers declared victory with Norman Powell and Bogdan Bogdanović shooting 6-20 from the floor on combined attempts. This is atrocious from two of Lue’s score-first options.
Powell and Bogdanović did have some clutch baskets, but their performance today shows how bright the Clippers’ championship spirit is. They defeated a team that had been as close to flawless as possible since the deadline, with two of their premiere scorers missing most of their shots.
That said, the Clippers have almost a week off before game one against the Denver Nuggets, which is on the road at 12:30 PM(PST)