A sweep in the NBA Playoffs is not always as easy as it looks, more so in the Conference Finals where the stakes are higher.
The Golden State Warriors, who have been dominant in the series, had a chance to eliminate the Dallas Mavericks but were met with a barrage of 3-pointers in Game 4. There’s no need to panic on the side of Steph Curry and his squad. For one, you kind of expect the Mavs to come out swinging. Plus, you’re betting the Mavs won’t go 20-of-43 from deep for another game.
Furthermore, you have to appreciate the fight coming from your bench players.
The Warriors were down 99-70 to start the fourth quarter of Game 4. It was supposed to be a done deal at that point. The Mavericks were well on their way to extending the series thanks to fiery shooting and impeccable defense. Everyone was ready to pack their bags and head back to San Francisco.
But in a bizarre twist, the lead dwindled slowly. It wasn’t a tsunami of points that brought the Warriors back. Instead, the comeback bid came in short waves, slowly crashing and making its way to shore. Bucket after bucket and defensive stop after defensive stop, the Warriors found themselves in a position of maybe, just maybe, pulling off a miracle.
From as high as 29 points, the Mavs’ advantage evaporated to eight points, 110-102, with roughly three and a half minutes left. That’s when Curry finally checked back into the game. For most of the fourth, it was Golden State’s bench that delivered. Jonathan Kuminga had 10 points in the final frame, followed by eight points from Moses Moody, and six more from Jordan Poole. In the end, even though the starters made their return, the Mavericks just made enough baskets to seal the win.
It’s only a small sample size but it does prove that the Warriors have insane depth. Their youth brigade fits perfectly with their veterans.
And who knows what kind of matchups will appear in the next game. Maybe rookies Moody and Kuminga will see more playing time, especially with Otto Porter Jr. dealing with a knee injury. Maybe Damion Lee, who was an integral part of the team during the regular season, will get more burn. Whoever it may be, the Warriors are banking on their versatile lineups to overpower the Mavericks who rely heavily on their superstar.
That’s the thing also with the Warriors. You can never count them out. Give them a little bit of breathing room, and they’ll seize every opportunity they can get. Just when you thought you got them all figured out, they find a way. That has been the case so far in their playoff run. Take the Memphis Grizzlies’ 39-point win in Game 5 of the West Semis. Just when the Grizz were hoping to stay alive, ‘Game 6 Klay’ Thompson showed up. The 2022 Warriors are extremely dangerous, looking a lot like their championship teams of old.
There is no panic in the Bay Area. Nonetheless, you don’t want to mess around with somebody like Doncic. The Warriors have to finish it off in Game 5 at home and not risk returning to Dallas for Game 6. They didn’t get a sweep but all they need is one win to enter the NBA Finals.
