The Golden State Warriors just finished one of the best seasons in team history, winning 51 games as Stephen Curry solidified his star status around the league. For that incredible effort, the NBA has not-so-kindly gifted the team a tough first-round matchup against Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers.
NBA playoffs 2014, Clippers vs. Warriors: Season series split a good sign for Golden State
The Warriors kept up with Los Angeles during the regular season, can they repeat that in the playoffs?
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
In the regular season, the Warriors and Clips split their four games evenly, though three actually ended with double-digit margins of victory. With the series starting up this weekend, let’s take a look at those regular season contests:
Oct. 31 -- Clippers 126, Warriors 115
The second game of the season for both teams saw Paul explode for 42 points in a high-scoring affair. The Clippers somehow ended up taking 50 free throws in the win, led by CP3’s 16-of-17 effort from the charity stripe. However, with Curry raining down three-pointers like a madman -- he finished 9-fo-14 from beyond the arc -- the Warriors never let things get too lopsided. Curry finished with 38 points and nine assists in the loss.
Dec. 25 -- Warriors 105, Clippers 103
The Warriors would get their revenge on Christmas Day, using a combination of rebounding and long-range shooting to get the win. The holiday spirit wasn't quite present, though, as Blake Griffin and Draymond Green were ejected from the game after trading flagrant fouls in the third quarter. First, Green got called for an elbow to Griffin's head, then Blake got into things down low with Andrew Bogut:
Afterwards, Griffin called the Warriors’ play “cowardly,“ starting some trash talking that’s continued this week.
Jan. 30 -- Warriors 111, Clippers 92
Arguably one of the biggest wins of Golden State's season, even if Paul was sidelined by injury. The Clippers were still quite the formidable bunch even with Darren Collison starting at point guard, making a 19-point smackdown pretty impressive regardless of CP3. Led by Andrew Bogut, who finished with 14 points, 17 rebounds and three blocks, the Warriors held L.A. to 41 percent shooting and absolutely dominated the boards, 53-34. If Golden State can somehow replicate that advantage inside at times this month, the Clippers could be in trouble.
March 12 -- Clippers 111, Warriors 98
Griffin has had his troubles with the Warriors this season, but in the final regular season matchup last month, the All-Star big man looked the part. Going off for 30 points and 15 rebounds in 42 minutes of action, Griffin dominated the game and made up for a poor shooting night from Paul. The win actually gave Los Angeles a nine-game winning streak -- it would eventually hit 11 before a loss to Denver.
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