NBA playoffs on Apr. 26: Warriors defeat Clippers to meet Rockets

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The Golden State Warriors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 129-110 at the Staples Center on Friday, ending the series 4-2. The team will meet the Houston Rockets in the Western Conference semifinals.

Warriors vs. Clippers: Kevin Durant and his records

Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the game they win against the Los Angeles Clippers 129-110 at the Staples Center, April 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

Golden State had no intention of playing a Game 7 with the Clippers, even at home – that was the message sent by the defending champs from the beginning of Friday's game. Kevin Durant dropped 50 points, a career-high for him in the playoffs. Scoring 38 points in the first half, he also tied the league's playoff record for first-half scoring by Charles Barkley. Durant's average score per game in the playoffs rose to 29.07 points, the fourth highest in NBA history, only next to Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson and Jerry West.

"That was one of the great performances I've ever seen in my life. He's the ultimate weapon because there's no defense for Kevin (Durant)," said Steve Kerr, head coach of the Warriors.

"Sometimes you come across special people and it doesn't matter what you send to them. There's no scheme. There's nothing you can do. We tried everything. It didn't work," said Lou Williams of the Clippers.

Lou Williams of the Clippers reacts in the game against the Warriors, April 26, 2019. /VCG Photo

With KD carrying the team's offense, GSW put Klay Thompson and Andre Iguodala, two of their best outside defenders on Williams, the Clippers' hero who saved his team twice with his crazy scoring performances. As a result, Williams only made three of his 21 shots, and ended with eight points. His inside partner from the bench, Montrezl Harrell was also well defended; he only attempted seven shots and made four of them to get 10 points.

Though they were knocked out, the Clippers had a wonderful season and they should be proud of it. "This was the 2008 Celtics without (Kevin) Garnett, Ray Allen, (Rajon) Rondo and Paul (Pierce). It really was, like, same heart, played every night hard. And that's why they connected," said Doc Rivers, head coach of the Clippers.

Warriors vs. Rockets: Who will be the game changer?

James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets and Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors /VCG Photo

Golden State and Houston are familiar with each other. The Warriors have better talent, richer options on offense, but they'll have to deal with the Rocket's defensive switches. Meanwhile, though Andrew Bogut can still contribute, he can be a liability in front of Chris Paul and James Harden. Stephen Curry struggled with foul problems against the Clippers and that will concern GSW even more if Harden keeps aiming for Curry via screens on offense.

Houston still enjoys outstanding spacing on offense and the series against the Utah Jazz proved that they can win even in tough, physical competitions like that. However, the Rockets have their own headaches too. Harden has been cold with his shooting since Game 3 against the Jazz – his average field goal rate in those three games was only 31.8 percent. More importantly, they have no player who can even match Durant in size.

Kevon Looney #5 of the Golden State Warriors competes for a rebound in the game agaisnt the Toronto Raptors at the Scotiabank Arena, January 13, 2018. /VCG Photo

It's predictable that Houston will try to slow down the pace of each game and force Golden State to play an isolation game. Therefore, Golden State can focus on two things. First, they need to invest more effort on offensive rebounding and give Kevon Looney more time on the court. Looney is the team's best rebounder, especially in competing for offensive ones. He is also quick enough to take on Houston's guards penetrating from outside.

Second, Durant must be assertive, just like he was in Game 3 and Game 6 against the Clippers. The Rockets' players will attack his lower body because none of them is as tall as KD. Meanwhile, they will also try to steal his ball because no matter how good his dribbling is, Durant is a seven-feet (about 2.11 meters) big man. Both KD and the Warriors have already found solutions to this type of defense from the series against the Clippers – having Durant do more off-ball plays and setting more screens for him so KD can shoot immediately when he catches the ball. Furthermore, the rest of the team should still move more on the court to distract Houston's defense.

Garrett Temple #17 of the Los Angeles Clippers steals the ball from Kevin Durant of the Golden State Warriors in the game at the Oracle Arena, April 15, 2019. /VCG Photo

The Rockets do not have much to adjust as their offense and defense are simple enough. One thing they must remember is the Warriors will definitely make mistakes in certain stages of the game and these mistakes must be turned into opportunities. GSW prefers to give-and-go on offense, plus their casualness mean that the team often commit more turnovers. In a game filled with one-on-one plays and switch defense, easy points via turnovers are valuable enough to decide the game's result.

Game 1 of Warriors vs. Rockets will be played at the Oracle Arena on Sunday.