First Dubs-Clippers game won’t meet preseason expectations originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
The last Western Conference team to beat the Warriors in a playoff series was the same that thought they, not Golden State, was about to dominate the conference for years to come.
The Lob City Los Angeles Clippers took down a young Warriors crew over seven games in the first round of the 2014 playoffs. Chris Paul had 22 points and 14 assists in Game 7. Blake Griffin added 24 points, five rebounds, six assists, three steals and three blocks. DeAndre Jordan, who is on his sixth team since he last played for the Clippers in 2018, had 15 points and 18 rebounds.
J.J. Redick added 20 points, Matt Barnes had 13 and Jamal Crawford dropped 22 off the bench. All three now are retired.
Then, Steve Kerr showed up and the Warriors haven’t lost a playoff series to a team out West ever since. Though the Warriors did face the Clippers in the first round of the 2019 playoffs, beating them in six games, one team’s path took a road to rings and the other’s had far more twists, turns and dead ends than expected.
Storylines need their sunlight and debate is as essential as water for sports fans. This past offseason, a Warriors-Clippers argument was brought back to life. Questions immediately arose regarding the Warriors’ chances to repeat. Meanwhile, the Clippers became the darlings of the NBA — at least on paper.
Prior to the start of the 2022-23 season, the Warriors’ over-under for wins per PointsBet was 52.5 — the same number as the Clippers. One team won their fourth title in the last eight seasons. The other finished eighth in the West and dropped both of their games in the play-in tournament.
Nov. 23 was supposed to be a day to circle for Warriors fans, Clippers fans and anybody who gives a damn about basketball. The first meeting between these former rivals, however, doesn’t exactly live up to expectations.
Story continues
Let’s start with the Clippers.
Kawhi Leonard’s healthy return was the main reason everyone came into the season so high on the Clippers. Leonard missed all of last season with a torn ACL. His first two seasons…
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Author : NBC Sports BayArea
Publish date : 2022-11-23 19:20:28
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