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GINOBLI!!! Warriors - Spurs: Game 4 Recap

Wow what an effort by the Spurs!


This was a hard fought game that the Spurs won with tough defense and a champions mentality. The Spurs started the game with furious defense forcing turnovers by the Warriors primary ball handlers in Kevin Durant, Andre Iguodala and Draymond Green early. The Warriors started the game firing well from the field, but the home team turned the Warriors early turnovers into 13pts.


Klay Thompson had his worst game of the series going 4-16 from the field, 2-6 from 3pt range and finished with a -18(+/-) on the game. His poor game should largely be attributed to Danny Green staying on Klays hip all night, along with Patty Mills ferocious defense. Patty Mills caused two charging calls on Klay, once in transition and the other in the post. He battled the much larger guard throughout the game forcing Klay off of his spots and into tough contested jumpers.


Kevin Durant did his thing and I honestly don't think the Spurs have a problem with that. I think the Spurs know Durant is nearly impossible to stop (unless Kawhi is in the lineup) and he is going to get his points and shots off regardless. This showed throughout the game, Kevin Durant got where he wanted on the court with relative ease, but credit the Spurs and the many defenders that have used on him to make his shots as difficult as possible.

The Spurs turned their focus to Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and the Warriors role players who had their worst outing of the post season so far. Now the Warriors missed shots that they normally do make, but credit the Spurs swarming the three point line and LA’s tremendous defense at the rim.


On the offensive side of the ball the Spurs put the ball in the hoop! The Spurs playoff veterans weren’t ready for the season to end and it showed in there performance. Offense has been hard to come by as the Warriors 9th ranked defense has improved to its previous championship level. Penetration, easy points at the rim and open shots in general have been hard to come by as the Warriors have seemingly layed a moat around the paint. Try telling that to Tony Parker who has used his minutes in the last two games and especially this one to produce from the field. He was in the paint time and time again in the 2nd and 3rd quarters producing points and helping the bench unit secure the lead. Dejounte Murray had himself a shooting night going ¾ from 3 point range and making the Dubs pay for leaving him open. Speaking of being left open, Kyle Anderson, after a few pitiful shooting performances, went 4/4 from the field, played some nice high low offense with Pau and more importantly it seemed like he gained confidence in this game, which he will need all of when the Spurs visit Golden State in game 5.


The Spurs went into the second half with a 14 point lead against the best 3rd quarter offensive team in basketball and the Spurs leaders were ready for everything they had. Lamarcus Aldridge and Manu Ginobli stepped up in the second half to propel the Spurs to a victory. Aldridge went 3/3 from three point range and fought off countless double teams on his way to a team high 21 points and 10 rebounds. Manu!!! Ginobli became the first 40+ year old to score in double figures in a playoff game and he did so by adding 10 of his 16 points in the 4th quarter. And Manu was magical in the 4th whether he was scooping a shot over Draymond or hitting a clutch three in the corner to secure the victory.


What does this mean going forward? Well nothing really, the Spurs are down 3-1 headed back to Oakland against the defending NBA Champions, but but but... If the Spurs can replicate the effort and defense they played with on Sunday, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the series back in San Antonio.

GO SPURS GO!!!

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