LA Clippers Vs Golden State Warriors: Game 5

With all the commotion stemming from Donald Sterling's statements in a recorded phone call it seemed in game 4 that the Clippers were too distracted to play.  With Commissioner Adam Silver's swift action and public game plan to get Sterling removed as owner of the Clippers, Silver may have saved the Clippers season.  Now the Clippers can focus on playing rather than making a social statement.  This is bad news for Golden State.

Knowing how pivotal game 5's are in the NBA playoffs the Warriors have a lot riding on this game.  They are on the road and are going to have to deal with a highly emotional LA Clipper team and crowd.  I don't know that they will be able to overcome that factor alone.

Keys for Clippers 

1. Ride the Emotional Wave. The crowd will be amped up.  The court will probably feel like it is on another level.  The Clippers need to come out matching that energy, run the floor, and get some dunks with Blake Griffin.  The Arena will be loud.

2. Defend the 3 point line. The Clipper perimeter defenders have to stick on Curry and Thompson like glue.  No one can stop Curry and Thompson from making every shot but the Clippers have to contest every shot.  They cannot allow Curry to keep the game close late.

3. DeAndre Jordan.  A player with his size and athletic ability should never be shut out in a game.  Jordan needs to run the floor, block shots, rebound, and get easy second chance points.  If he can get a couple alley oops from Chris Paul they will emotionally beat down the Warriors.  The Clippers are hard to beat when Griffin and Jordan are playing at a high level.  Jordan needs 12 pts. 14 reb. and 3 blks

Keys for Warriors

1. Withstand the emotional energy. This is going to be a crazy environment for the Warriors.  They need to attack the basket early and get easy shots.  Allowing the Clippers to get an early lead and fast break points will doom the Warriors.

2. FROM DOWNTOWN!(NBA JAM REFERENCE) The Warriors always have a chance because of the 3 point shooting.  If they are cold from downtown they have no chance.

3. Steph Curry. Stars are the focus in the playoffs.  Green, Igoudala, Lee, Barnes, and Thompson are good players,  Maybe even great., but Steph Curry has to carry the team on his back.  He needs to penetrate and score, penetrate and kick, make impossible threes, and set up the pick and rolls constantly.  Does he have the energy to do it?....


Prediction

This has been a great series so far but I can't help but think Commissioner Silver's decision today gave a boost to the Clippers.  I think the energy and environment will be too much to overcome for the Warriors much like it was too much to overcome for the Clippers in game 4.  Clippers 110- Warriors 100

*Side note.  Talks of Mark Jackson losing his job if the Warriors don't advance is ridiculous.  The Warriors haven't been relevant since the early 90's and the fact they are competitive now is because of Jackson.  I'm sure there are many teams who wouldn't mind having him.

Game 5:

GSW at LAC | Tue., Apr. 29, 10:30 PM ET | TNT