Western Conference Finals: Spurs obliterate Warriors, 99-131 (2-0).
Golden State had no chance tonight. |
Brandon Ingram got going, then Patty Mills (20 points, 3/4 3PT) lit up Golden State's defense, the Spurs up 30-55. This trend continued, a beat-down halved by Mills hitting another long ball for the 44-68 advantage.
T.J. Warren did not relent against the Warriors, nailing a 4-PT play, closing his performance with 28 points and 2 steals. The Spurs went up by 30 points once Brandon Ingram (16 points) stole the ball for the big dunk on the other side of the court. Cue the bench, and Mario Chalmers got his first taste of the playoffs, scoring nine points (3-3 3PT) overall with 5 assists and 5 rebounds. J.R. Smith roasted the Warriors a second time tonight, totaling 23 points on 4/8 from deep with 2 steals.
Golden State even failed to tally 100 points, losing 99-131 as Chalmers got the shocking block on Demarcus Cousins at the rim on a put-back attempt in the closing seconds of regulation. Skal Labissiere had 10 points with 5 rebounds, and Kyle O'Quinn hoisted down 10 rebounds with 7 points and 2 blocks.
The Spurs shot a tremendous 19-35 (54%) from long range, a stark contrast to Golden State's paltry 3-14 showing. Steph Curry had 22 points on 8/19, going coldly 1/7 from deep. Kevin Durant had 29 points with 10 assists, trying all he could, but made just 1/4 from long range and 13/22 overall. Klay Thompson had 15 points to go with 6 assists, hitting 7/11. Draymond Green scored ten, and Cousins had 16 points with 12 rebounds.
An embarrassing road defeat, Golden State will need to recharge and execute strongly for the next two games, as they already face going down 0-3 (like the Houston Rockets did).