Durant replaced Draymond Green at center court, and the referee tossed the ball high into the air.
Without suspense, Durant easily beat Lopez, and the Golden State Warriors secured the first possession!
Curry quickly dribbled past half-court and passed directly to Draymond Green.
Green caught the ball at the top of the arc and began orchestrating the offense.
On the wings, the Splash Brothers used screens to break free on both sides, drawing the Clippers' defensive attention.
Durant was left completely open under the basket!
Draymond Green fired a direct pass inside.
"Boom!"
Durant received it and dunked with ease!
2-0!
The Warriors struck first!
"A perfect team possession. The Warriors' opening play was clean and crisp!"
Smith praised their execution: "As expected of the defending champions, their offensive cohesion is superb!"
"Let's see how the Clippers respond!"
Smith turned his attention to Beverley bringing the ball up: "Can the Warriors limit Kai Chen's scoring tonight?"
While the commentators spoke, Kai immediately called for the ball as Beverley crossed mid-court.
With the ball in hand, Kai stepped on the gas, attacking decisively. He aimed to use his speed advantage against Klay and penetrate the Warriors' defense.
The Warriors' small-ball lineup featured quick rotations and switches at every position. But against Kai Chen's explosive burst, the defense was broken before it could fully collapse.
Kai drove straight to the rim. Before Draymond Green could rotate over, Kai rose into the air and released a soft floater.
"Swish!"
Green's defensive read was correct, but once Kai elevated, there was nothing he could do.
"Oh~~"
The nimble floater, remarkable lift, and blazing speed drew loud reactions from the crowd.
2-2!
"The Warriors' offensive firepower often overshadows how strong they are defensively!"
Smith continued: "Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, Kevin Durant, and Iguodala are all elite defenders!"
"But even they can't stop Kai Chen from scoring!"
As Kai Chen turned to get back on defense, Draymond Green seized the moment and bumped him hard from behind.
"Shit!"
Caught off guard, Kai stumbled forward.
"Are you that soft?"
Green raised his hands toward the referee, then mocked Kai: "This is a man's sport. With that level of contact, maybe you should try the WNBA!"
"Did you say something?"
Kai Chen didn't bother arguing. He simply ignored him and picked up his defensive assignment.
"You bitch, what are you going to do about it?!"
Seeing Kai ignore him, Draymond Green grew more aggressive: "Fuck you. This is the NBA, not the NCAA!"
"You fucking—"
Before he could finish, Carmelo Anthony stepped in, delivering a firm body bump that cut him off.
Under Carmelo's cold stare, Draymond Green swallowed the rest of his words.
On the wing, Durant received the ball at the free-throw line with his back to the basket, isolating Jeff Green.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
After several powerful post-ups, Durant shifted rhythm with a shoulder fake, turned, and released a fading mid-range jumper.
Elite height, textbook footwork, soft touch.
Even Kai had to acknowledge Durant's brilliance as a scorer.
"Swish!"
The ball dropped cleanly.
2-4!
Clippers' possession!
Beverley pushed the ball up and fed Kai.
This time, Kai didn't attack the rim. He held the ball beyond the three-point line, faked to shake Klay, stepped back, and fired.
Graceful form. Perfect balance.
"Swish!"
Nothing but net.
A beautiful possession.
5-4!
The Clippers reclaimed the lead.
But before they could celebrate, the Warriors answered immediately.
Draymond Green inbounded quickly to Durant, who sprinted up the court.
While moving, Durant faced a collapsing defense from Jeff Green and Carmelo. With a quick adjustment, he drove toward the paint.
"Swish!"
Drawing defenders, Durant kicked the ball out to Curry at the top of the arc.
Curry caught and launched without hesitation.
"Swish!"
An open shot like that was automatic.
5-7!
The Warriors surged ahead again!
"Slow it down. Feed the inside!"
On the sideline, Doc Rivers made a timely adjustment, shifting toward interior offense.
Beverley brought the ball up and delivered it to Lopez on the low block.
"Yes!"
Seeing the entry pass connect, Rivers nodded.
Against the Warriors' small-ball lineup, the interior seemed like the weakest point.
Lopez held a size advantage over Draymond Green, but scoring on him was never easy.
"Bang bang bang!"
After several forceful post-ups, Lopez turned for a hook shot.
The ball circled the rim… then rolled out.
Missed.
Draymond Green secured the rebound and immediately launched a long outlet pass.
Curry caught it beyond the arc and prepared to rise.
But Beverley hustled back desperately, forcing Curry to hesitate.
In the next instant, Klay Thompson arrived on the left wing.
Curry swung the ball over.
"Swish!"
Klay's three-pointer splashed through!
5-10!
The Warriors extended their lead.
"Warriors!"
"Warriors!"
"Warriors!"
Oracle Arena erupted as fans rose to their feet.
"Fuck, Doc Rivers needs to be fired immediately!!"
On a live stream, NBA insider exploded "Completely useless!"
"Look at Steve Kerr. He rolls out small-ball immediately, and you're still leaving Lopez out there?"
"You're just giving away transition points! Look at how many fast breaks the Warriors have already scored!"
"Still standing there? Get out of here! Fired!!"
On the court,
With the deficit growing, Kai ramped up his individual offense.
Kai attacked Klay at the top of the arc, split the help defense from Draymond Green, spun past the steal attempt, and finished with a slick layup.
On the next possession, the Warriors missed.
Beverley grabbed the rebound and pushed the break.
On the wing, Kai Chen and Carmelo executed a quick screen action, shaking their defenders as Kai cut toward the basket.
Although Draymond Green had already set himself in the paint, Kai still called for the ball.
Beverley delivered the bounce pass.
Kai Chen caught it in stride and exploded upward!
His speed was overwhelming. Before Draymond Green could fully react, Kai was already airborne.
"Boom!"
Oracle Arena detonated with noise.
Green absorbed the impact and was sent stumbling backward.
"Beep!"
The whistle blew.
Blocking foul on Draymond Green!
The shot counted!
And one free throw to follow!
==========
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