NBA Playoffs 2014: Warriors vs Clippers Preview Game 2 – Can Golden State Sweep in LA?

NBA Playoffs 2014: Warriors vs Clippers Preview Game 2 – Can Golden State Sweep in LA? (Photo: USA Today via FanSided)

Golden State Warriors (51-31) vs Los Angeles Clippers (57-25)

Series: GS Leads 1-0

Tip-off: Monday, April 21st, 2014 – 7:30PM PDT

Location: Staples Center, Los Angeles, CA

Spread: Los Angeles (-8), meaning Clippers are 8-point favorites

TV: TNT / CSN Bay Area | Radio: KNBR 680 AM

Livetweet: @LetsGoWarriors (by @BeeRyry)

Previous Matchup:

4/19/2014 – Won 109-105 in Los Angeles. Curry held to 14 points but Klay Thompson had 22 points, Harrison Barnes had 14 points and 8 rebounds.

Probable Starting Lineups: (Stats are from Playoffs only now)

Warriors:

PG: Stephen Curry (14.0 PPG, 7.0 APG, 3.0 RPG)

SG: Klay Thompson (22.0 PPG, 5.0 APG, 7.0 RPG)

SF: Andre Iguodala (8.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, 1.0 RPG)

PF: David Lee (20.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, 13.0 RPG)

C: Jermaine O’Neal  (13.0 PPG, 1.0 APG, 3.0 RPG)

HEAD COACH: Mark Jackson (122-109) Playoff Record: (7-6)

Clippers:

PG: Chris Paul (28.0 PPG, 8.0 APG, 7.0 RPG)

SG: JJ Redick (22.0 PPG, 2.0 APG, 2.0 RPG)

SF: Matt Barnes (2.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, 3.0 RPG)

PF: Blake Griffin (16.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, 3.0 RPG)

C: DeAndre Jordan (11.0 PPG, 0.0 APG, 14.0 RPG)

HEAD COACH: Doc Rivers (644-499) Playoff Record: (64-58)

Game 1 Summary:

Game one of this series was a very weird and crazy game. I know most of #DubNation was on the verge of having a massive heart-attack when the game reached its final stages and the Clippers had crawled their way back into the game. Stephen Curry struggled as he only had 14 points on 16 shots, he also had 7 turnovers. Draymond Green, Klay Thompson, David Lee and Harrison Barnes all played very well in game one. Green had 7 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. Barnes was huge especially when Iguodala went out with foul trouble; he had 14 points and 8 rebounds. David Lee after a poor first half, he had a great second half, he finished with 22 points and 13 rebounds. Finally Klay Thompson was big as well; he had 22 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Klay made timely baskets to keep the Warriors afloat.

As for the Clippers they can’t be happy with how everybody played except for Chris Paul, who had 28 points, 8 assists and 7 rebounds and JJ Redick who had 22 points on 11 shots. Blake Griffin only played 19 minutes as he fouled out with 16 points. Matt Barnes shot 0/3 and only had 2 points. DeAndre Jordan played well and played almost the entire game, he finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds. The Clippers bench was awful shooting just 8/30 and scoring a horrendous 26 points.

Keys To The Game:

1) Curry has to be involved early and stay involved. Stephen struggled in Game 1 only scoring 14 points on 16 shots to go along with 7 turnovers. For him to be involved and get good looks, the screens Lee and other bigs set have to be very firm screens.

2) Take care of the basketball. The Warriors must value each and every possesion and keep their turnovers down as much as possible. Curry needs to notice when something is there and when something isn’t there, he has improved on learning when to do something and when not to do something as the season has gone on.

3) Go at Paul. He may be strong and a solid defender. But, he does have a hamstring injury, he said it is no concern, but he could just be saying that. Golden State won’t know for sure until tonight.

Monte Poole of CSN Bay Area :

MATCHUPS TO WATCH
Stephen Curry vs. Chris Paul. This matchup will continue to be crucial. The Warriors managed to win Game 1 with the two point guards playing to a virtual standoff. Neither was at his best, so expect both to be better.

David Lee vs. Blake Griffin. Lee recovered from a wretched start in Game 1 to win his personal battle with the Clippers power forward. Griffin fouled out in only 19 minutes, but did score 16 points, an indication of his explosiveness. Lee won the Game 1 matchup because he played 36 – and a terrific second half.

Andre Iguodala. With Klay Thompson’s defense devoted to playmaker Paul, Iguodala gets L.A.’s top shooter. Iguodala fouled out of Game 1 in 20 minutes. Redick was a different player when Iguodala was on the bench. If Iguodala can stay on the court, Redick will struggle to score.

KEEP AN EYE ON: 

The officiating in Game 1 was by turns tight and awful and quite good. The tightness was to be expected because the teams have a contentious history. Officials whistled 51 fouls in Game 1. Don’t be surprised if that number falls.