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Kevin Durant had a solid first half performance for the Golden State Warriors, but he was still focused and in game face despite giving the defending champions a comfortable lead at the half.
Durant erupted for 38 points for the Warriors, which is the second-best scoring performance in a playoff game, according to ESPN Stats & Info. During the halftime interview, Durant seemed to be not in a good mood or not yet ready to celebrate when asked about being “in the zone” in the first 24 minutes of the game.
.@KerithBurke: “Are you in a zone where you feel like you can score at will?
-Kevin Durant (who scored 38 points in the 1st half): “Yeah.” pic.twitter.com/49vjhqUf0g— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) April 27, 2019
His explosion in the first half helped the Warriors gain control in the crucial showdown. The Warriors held a 72-53 lead at the half, which they managed to sustain in the third period. After three quarters, Golden State was still ahead, 102-78, in front a stunned crowd inside the Staples Center.
Durant scored eight more points in the third period, ending the first 36 minutes of the match with 46 points on an impressive 14-for-22 shooting, including a 6-for-12 clip from the three-point region. He has set a new playoff career-high, besting his performance in the previous game.
In Game 5, Durant scored 45 points on 14-for-26 shooting on top of six rebounds and six assists, but the Clippers managed to force Game 6 with a 129-121 win. In the first five games of the series, Durant posted 32.0 points on 56.9 percent shooting from the field with 2.4 three-pointers a game.
If the Warriors manage to hold on to their huge lead, they will arrange a second-round showdown with the Houston Rockets. Golden State and Houston engaged in a seven-game showdown in the Western Conference Finals last season, where the Warriors won the series after winning in Games 6 and 7.
