Levon Satamian | April 13th, 2019
The Golden State Warriors are 1st place in the Western Conference, as many of us expected them to be. The Los Angeles Clippers are 8th place, which many people did not expect.
After trading away Tobias Harris, most people thought that the Clippers were going to tank. But, here they are, facing the Warriors in the playoffs. I have heard a lot of people say the Warriors will easily sweep the Clippers. I look at it like this; if the Clippers can win tonight, they have a possibility of defeating the Warriors in six games. I’m not saying they will, but they have a chance to if they win tonight.
The Warriors will look for a three-peat this season. But, it will not be as easy as last season. Believe it or not, DeMarcus Cousins may be a liability for the Warriors because he is not in shape, yet, and he has been committing too many fouls. So, if he gets fouled out, that may turn the outcome of a game. For example, in this specific series, I don’t think Cousins will be able to keep up with Montrezl Harrell, which could be a problem in this series.
Steph Curry is known as the “Clippers killer,” but it may be different this time around. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Patrick Beverley are a tremendous defensive back-court. Beverley will likely be guarding Curry, Gilgeous-Alexander will probably be guarding Klay Thompson, Danilo Gallinari will probably be guarding Kevin Durant, meaning Landry Shamet may be defending Draymond Green, and of course, Ivica Zubac will be guarding DeMarcus Cousins. I think the Clippers match up well against the Warriors. Off the bench, the Warriors are led by veterans Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston, alongside Quinn Cook, Jonas Jerebko, and Andrew Bogut. That second unit lineup may change. As for the Clippers, their bench is led by Lou Williams and Montrezl Harrell, alongside Garrett Temple, JaMychal Green, and Wilson Chandler. Lou and Harrell are the Clippers best players, and they are coming off the bench for LA. That’s an advantage for them against most teams. But, not when they are versing the greatest team ever assembled.
The Clippers will need to win tonight, in order to have any chance of upsetting the Warriors. They never have quit in them, and they fight until the end. I am a big fan of Lou Williams and Patrick Beverley, so I hope the Clippers will be able to win this series in six games, but, the Warriors should be able to win this series in five games. It’s going to be a good series, and the Clippers will not get swept in this series.
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