NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Semifinals Recap
By Tyler Watts
The NBA Playoffs are in full swing and the second round has concluded in the Western Conference. This article recaps the two series that just finished.
The NBA Playoffs are great entertainment. Despite the Sacramento Kings not qualifying this season, I figure I would take a short break from the Kings content and recap the two Western Conference series that just finished up. Let us roll right into the action.
(1) Golden State Warriors defeat (5) Utah Jazz
The Golden State Warriors had the look of a historically great team all season, and the playoffs have done nothing to change that. Golden State has swept back-to-back series to reach the conference finals for the third consecutive year.
The Jazz knocked off the LA Clippers in the opening round and looked poised to push the Warriors, but that just never materialized. The closest the Jazz came to winning a game was an 11 point defeat in both games two and three. Kevin Durant and Steph Curry dominated the series and led the Warriors further into the playoffs.
Below is a highlight video from game four to give you a glimpse at the Warriors destruction of the Jazz in this series.
Appointment Television
The Golden State Warriors are must watch tv at this point. Durant and Curry are perhaps the two best players in the NBA at this moment, and they are playing on the same squad. The Warriors are a squad that is crushing every team in its path during these playoffs. Their closest game was a six-point victory in Portland during the first round. During every contest, I am amazed by the collection of basketball talent and the ease with which they are defeating other NBA playoff teams.
(2) San Antonio Spurs defeat (3) Houston Rockets
The San Antonio Spurs versus Houston Rockets was a series packed full of action, excitement, and plenty of twists. The Rockets crushed San Antonio in game one by a score of 126-99, and Twitter went ablaze with notions that the Spurs were history and Houston would sweep them. Remember folks; one game does not a series make.
The Spurs came back and won the next two games by large margins and looked in command once again. James Harden was still going off, but Coach Popovich had his men controlling the tempo and getting stops when it mattered.
The Rockets earned a 125-104 victory in game four, and I believed the series was really up for grabs. Harden did not miss in that contest, and the Houston starting five smashed the Spurs starting unit.
Then, the Spurs won a wild game five and looked poised for another trip to the conference finals. I thought Houston played the better game that night and the injury to Kawhi Leonard had me believing Houston would pull it out, but ultimately Manu Ginobili led the Spurs to the overtime victory. It was an amazing game packed with drama and excitement.
Game six was a blowout of epic portions, and it looked as if the Rockets never landed in Houston. LaMarcus Aldridge was fantastic scoring 34 points and grabbing 12 rebounds to lead the Spurs to an 114-75 victory to close out the series in six games.
San Antonio will need to play a lot better to defeat the Warriors, though. They need Kawhi Leonard to be healthy and some Popovich magic to beat the Dubs in a series.
Conclusion
There you have it, my recap of the two Western Conference Semifinal series. It was a great round of action to watch and provides us with an exciting conference final matchup. I will have a preview of that series tomorrow and provide you with the Eastern Conference versions when the Celtics and Wizards series concludes, so stay tuned for that.
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