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SAN FRANCISCO — The Clippers close out the regular season with an impressive 124-119 win in overtime over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday afternoon. Los Angeles finishes the year with a 50-32 record and clinched the fifth seed in the Western Conference with the win. They will now get a week off before their series start on the road against the Denver Nuggets.
Here are some takeaways from the Clippers win over the Warriors:
The Big 3 leads the way
The Clippers pickup the emphatic win being led by the three guys who has led them down the stretch: Kawhi Leonard, James Harden and Ivica Zubac.
Harden had the biggest night for Los Angeles in the win. He scored 12 of his 39 points in overtime to knock off the tough Warriors. He filled the stat sheet by adding 10 assists, seven rebounds, two steals and two blocks. He has shined all year for the Clippers and didn’t fail them in game 82.
Leonard, has been looking great to finish the year and played well today. He scored 33 points to go along with seven assists, six rebounds and three steals. He was the Clippers go-to guy down the stretch and was a big reason the game was able to get to overtime.
Lastly, the big man Zubac, was a defensive stalwart once again for Los Angeles. Zubac pulled down 17 rebounds adding a block and steal. He also chipped in 22 points. His size difference at moments overwhelmed the Warriors on both ends of the floor.
These three guys will be key to a possible Finals run for the Clippers. They will have to be at their best to win in the playoffs.
Los Angeles sweeps Golden State
The Clippers picking up this win made it a sweep of the Warriors this season.
Los Angeles has actually won the last seven in the series and three in a row on Golden State’s home floor. Leonard hadn’t played in the three previous matchups this season.
To see the dominance over one of its rivals was key this season. The Clippers blend of size and their defensive effort was too much for the Warriors this season.
Each matchup was competitive but the Clippers always had enough and found a way to win versus the tough Warriors.
Clips secure the 5th seed in the West
With today’s win, the Clippers secured the fifth seed in the playoffs.
The goal all season for Los Angeles was to secure a top six seed and it they did exactly that with this win.
Securing a top six seed seemed like it would happen after the All Star break but the team found a way by winning their final eight games of the season.
Now they get a week off to prepare for a matchup with Denver Nuggets. Denver will have home court advantage.
The two teams spirit the season series with Denver winning the last two matchups.
