Bennedict Mathurin contributed 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists from the bench, and the Los Angeles Clippers defeated the Golden State Warriors on Sunday with a score of 115:110, thereby scheduling a new clash in the play-in.
The Clippers took ninth place and will host the tenth-placed Warriors on Wednesday, after Portland beat Sacramento 122:110 and secured the eighth position. Although the Clippers and Trail Blazers finished with an identical 42-40 record, Portland had the advantage due to a better performance within the Western Conference.
The boys from Los Angeles started the season with a disastrous 6-21 record, but managed to recover and extend the franchise record of 15 consecutive seasons with a positive record. This is currently the longest such streak in the NBA and the fourth longest in the history of the competition.
Steph Curry led the Warriors in this duel with 24 points, along with 4/9 shooting for three points, as his team finished the season with a 37-45 record. He spent only 29 minutes on the floor, having appeared in four of the last five games after missing the previous 27 due to a right knee injury.
The Clippers’ bench outplayed the Warriors’ reserves 71:56. Besides Mathurin, Bogdan Bogdanović also stood out with 17 points, thereby tying his season record with five made three-pointers, three of which were consecutive in the fourth quarter.
He got a chance after three matches on the bench. Previously, he played two and a half minutes against the Kings, after five games in which he was not given an opportunity. Thus, he showed once again that the fact he is not getting a chance is undeserved.
John Collins added 18 points and nine rebounds, as one of six Clippers players with a double-digit performance.
Kawhi Leonard did not play for the Clippers, resting due to ankle and wrist problems, while Draymond Green was absent for the Warriors due to a back injury.
The Clippers hit five three-pointers in the final period, while the Warriors hit only one in that period, which decided the match. Although the Warriors tied the score five times in the third quarter, the Clippers entered the decisive period with an 83:81 lead.
The Clippers have won 11 of the last 12 games against Golden State at home, including nine consecutive victories. The Warriors have not celebrated against the Clippers away since November 28, 2021.
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Source: Sportal; Photo: AP / William Liang