The Golden State Warriors were slightly threatened but eventually slammed the door shut on the Utah Jazz 121-95, completing a four game sweep in the Western Conference semifinals.
Despite being clobbered on the head with a 24-point first quarter deficit, the Jazz clawed back and kept it close in the third quarter, cutting the lead to 6. The Warriors eventually smelt blood in the water and pulled away in the fourth. Steph Curry’s 30 points on 15 shots, Kevin Durant’s timely buckets and Draymond Green’s triple-double dug Utah’s grave in the team’s best season since the John Stockton-Karl Malone era.
At the time of this posting, the Rockets-Spurs series is gridlocked at two games apiece. Game 7 is set for May 14, all the way on Sunday. Game 1 of the Western Conference would then take place next Tuesday, May 16. It would be the second full week of rest for the Warriors during these 2017 playoffs. The Cleveland Cavaliers have also swept both of their opponents and are currently resting while the Celtics-Wizards duke it out in the other semifinal.
Curry was hot early and active on getting to the line (8-for-8). He dished out 7 dimes and grabbed 5 rebounds. It was one of those games where did just a little bit of everything. Durant’s 18 points were of the loud variety on Monday night. He scored at opportune times to kill Jazz runs. The argument can still be made Green’s been the most valuable player on the team so far this postseason. In Game 4, he was busy slowing down Rudy Gobert (12 points, 13 rebounds) while also taking an active role as a facilitator. He finished with 17 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds.
The Jazz went on a 14-2 second quarter run with Curry on the bench. Shelvin Mack scored 11 points in the third quarter. Gordon Hayward was lit up defensively, but he scored 25 points and left a good taste in the mouths for those who will court him in free agency. Jazz fans chanted his name in the waning moments and celebrated a feel-good season.
But the side characters are what continue to crush Golden State’s opponents. JaVale McGee showed some shades of the Portland series, scoring 12 points in 11 minutes. Zaza Pachulia was +22 on the night in 16 minutes. Matt Barnes continues to play minutes in the fourth quarter. Iguodala scored 7 points in 22 minutes.
The Warriors await. Will Houston or San Antonio be the next victim? Probably. It was the first time in Warriors franchise history the team has swept two opponents in one postseason. Another sweep is not out of the question.