Kevin Durant Exploded For 50 Points As The Warriors Knocked Off The Clippers


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As recently as this month, Kevin Durant tried to insist that he’s not the type of player who goes out there and takes 23 shots a game. If that rang hollow to you, then you’re not alone. It’s a nice sentiment, though, the idea that he’s heavily inclined toward team basketball and sharing the wealth with his more-than-capable teammates.

That’s the ethos behind these Warriors, a willingness to sacrifice individual accolades for the chance at multiple championships. But sometimes, a transcendent scorer like Durant just can’t help himself. Sometimes, the situation calls for precisely his brand of singular offensive brilliance.

With the Warriors already behind schedule as they labored through a six-game slog against the Clippers, they needed Durant to break out the heavy artillery to put away a team that nearly pushed them to the brink. Durant responded by putting up a 50-piece in Game 6 on Friday night at Staples Center to oust the Clippers, 129-110, and secure a date with destiny in the conference semifinals.

Durant was unstoppable from start to finish, and in the process he stamped out a stubborn Clippers squad that was the feel good story of the first-round of these playoffs. He had a career-best 38 first-half points, including all sorts of long-distance bombs that are simply demoralizing for opponents.

There would be no miraculous comeback, no late-game heroics from Lou Williams, who had been sensational against Golden State at various points this series but had a nightmarish game on Friday night, going 3-for-21 from the field overall for just eight points.

The Warriors also got plenty of fireworks from Draymond Green, who logged a triple-double with 16 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, and four blocks. Dray was on a rampage from the word go, determined not to let this one slip away, and in typical fashion, allowed his emotions to boil over at the officials at various points. One such instance was extra entertaining, as someone sitting courtside appeared to find it pretty, pretty good.

Golden State can now turn their full attention to the waiting Rockets, who have arrived in Oakland even before the Warriors and are eager for their rematch, the wisdom of which will only be apparent when we find out which of them is left standing at the end of the series.

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