Programming note: Watch the pregame edition of Warriors Outsiders on Friday night at 5:30, streaming live on the MyTeams app.
On Wednesday night in Houston, the Rockets took care of business and beat the Jazz to advance to the Western Conference Semifinals.
On Wednesday night in Oakland, the Warriors did not take care of business as they lost to the Clippers in a game they just didn't deserve to win.
The tone was set early as the Clippers recorded 12 quick second-chance points.
The Warriors just got outworked by the Clippers last night pic.twitter.com/PrtETeCw23— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) April 25, 2019
Sports
Two problems here:
-Gallinari gets a wide open 3-pointer
-All five Warriors were in the paint, yet Beverley gets the tip-in pic.twitter.com/s7OUKGYWpe— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) April 25, 2019
This is just........................... really bad pic.twitter.com/CWA3OguGFh— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) April 25, 2019
After the loss, Klay Thompson admitted that he was looking ahead to a potential series against Houston.
The five-time All-Star isn't alone, as media members everywhere have been looking ahead to the rematch for weeks.
Marc Stein of The New York Times recently asked an NBA advance scout for his take on the potential series:
"I just question the Warriors' ability to continually focus. It seems like nowadays they need to be punched in the mouth before they're Golden State. They're not just coming out on a mission and overwhelming teams. Maybe I will regret saying this, but I just don't trust them like I used to."
It's safe to say that this is how a lot of people feel about the Dubs.
They've already dropped two home playoff games and the defensive effort was practically non-existent in Game 5.
The Warriors defense has been awful in the 1st half. Beverley was so open on this transition 3 that he got to take a dribble to size it up pic.twitter.com/EwHIaSsIgA— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) April 25, 2019
When Andrew Bogut and Andre Iguodala - two extremely smart basketball players - allow this to happen, you know things aren't going well pic.twitter.com/OAYYZ59iPG— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) April 25, 2019
[RELATED: Rockets' Capela declares he wants Dubs in second round]
If the Warriors do eventually outlast the Clippers, an even hungrier Rockets team awaits in the next round.
Winning three straight championships ain't easy.
