That's what I'm talking about!
The Warriors upset the LA Clippers in the first round of this season's play-in by taking their first win ever in the Intuit Dome. They beat the Clippers 126-121 in a game that looked lost many times, particularly after being bitten badly by the turnover bug; usually a sign of a loss.
But they persevered, put together run after run, then took over the lead late in the 4th for the first time since the second quarter and put the Clippers away without it even going down to the wire! Some heroes:
STEPH. Limited to 30 minutes max, once he got lit he had to stay out there except for a short break at the start of the 4th. He played almost 36 minutes, and we got to see Playoff Curry go to work. It doesn't matter what janky defense you throw at him. It doesn't matter who's defending him. He's going to get points, and he's going to do it in style. 35 points and a +9 for the game.
DRAYMOND. I don't know why even Warriors fans say they wouldn't mind seeing Draymond leave. He was a demon out there, leading the defense and of course instrumental in limited Kawhi to two points in the fourth quarter and stealing the ball from him twice at crunch time. The first was leaping to block an inbound pass to him that was attempted to go over and he not only reached it, he had the wherewithal to poke it back inbounds to Podz who broke away for a critical advantage, getting a goal tend at the bucket while fouling the deadly Darius Garland (21 pts) out of the game. The second was in their next possession, doing a clean pick off Kawhi's dribble and going to the ground to secure the ball and flip it to Podz again. The game was not over on a bucket; it was over on two Green steals. And they happened after it looked like he pulled a muscle in his calf and would have to come out!
PORZINGUS. Kristaps got the very important BIG FUN game on the Warriors, slamming down two tip dunks (one on a foul shot), plus three threes and five assists and two blocks. He finished with 20 points and a big smile that says what we've been waiting to see: "I like it here."
HORFORD. Big Al was not having a good game, yet Steve put him in there for the fourth where he railed four of four from downtown! Just as Steph's teammates talk about how relieved they are to see it from his side, I remember Al lighting us up in the 2022 Finals and this was extra sweet.
SANTOS SANTOS SANTOS! Gui played a great all-around game, getting to the hoop, sinking threes, making the right pass. 20 points, 5 assists, and 6 rebounds, he showed us everything he had without Steph and did it alongside him in playoff conditions. He showed out hard as a 16-game player.
I was less sanguine about Sideshow Podz, who seemed to have a sub-par game for him, particularly in the first quarter when he was missing shots (from the field and the stripe), turning the ball over, and threw a particularly ugly long pass at the end of the first. He thought he was the White Harden out there, pounding the air out of the ball and launching a bad three. But he did make a couple big ones, realized he'd better stop trying to take over, and somehow ended up with 17 points and a +10, second on the team only to Gui's +16.
That was really satisfying.
This is why you don't tank to avoid the play-in.
This is why you don't let the fear of Steph getting hurt stop him from playing.
This is why the trade for Porzingus is a definite win for at least this year.
This is why Santos and Podz' playing time down the stretch pays off.
This is why Steve Kerr knows what he's doing.
Go Dubs! What a great win!
