Warriors: Game 5 is critical beyond finishing off Clippers

Warriors guard Klay Thompson hopes his ocean plunge will inspire more people to enjoy the outdoors.

WATCH: Steph, Klay and coach Kerr discuss upcoming Game 5.

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OAKLAND – By taking a plunge into the Pacific Ocean, Klay Thompson did not just feel more refreshed. He also inspired the Warriors and presumably their fans on ensuring that they live their best life.

“With it being Earth Day yesterday, I hope more people now will get out, especially the younger generation,” Thompson said following practice on Tuesday. “We, including myself, have a tough time with technological devices & addiction.”

How can Thompson and the Warriors enjoy more relaxing days like they did on the team’s day off on Monday? Easy. The Warriors need to win Game 5 of their first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Oracle Arena.

By doing that, the Warriors would cement both their first-round series and carve out extra rest days before playing in the Western Conference semifinals. That opponent appears to be the Houston Rockets, which play Game 5 of their first-round series against Utah on Wednesday with a 3-1 series lead.

“That’s a big deal,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “Any chance you get during the playoffs for some rest, you have to try to get that. It’s a long haul. If you go to the Finals, that’s almost two months. The more we can have time in between for preparation and rest, the better that serves us going forward.”

If the Warriors and Rockets both close out on Game 5, the series could start as early as Saturday or Sunday. If one of the teams extend their series longer, the series could start as late as Monday or Tuesday.

“From a stress perspective, it’s always nice to win in four or five games,” Thompson said. “Six, seven games, the fans love it. We love it, too. But we’d rather end it quickly. It’s such a long year that any day’s rest you can get, it’s beneficial in the long run.”

The Warriors would benefit in different ways.

The Warriors insist Draymond Green feels fine with his right wrist contusion after an MRI taken came out clean. The Warriors also downplayed veterans Andre Iguodala and Andrew Bogut logging heavier minutes in the postseason (25, 16.3 respectively) than in the regular season (23.2, 12.2 respectively). Yet, they would have extra days to rest and recover. With Kevin Durant having five technical fouls away from serving a one-game suspension, he would have one less game to collect another one.

Lastly, the Warriors would have more time to rest and prepare against a Rockets team that could threaten their chances in winning their fourth NBA championship in the past five years. Unlike when they survived last year’s seven-game series in the Western Conference Finals, the Warriors could face a healthier James Harden and Chris Paul.

“They’re a great team. They have two Hall of Fame guards in the backcourt. Everyone else has carved out a nice role,” Thompson said of the Rockets. “I know they’re itching to get another shot at us. When two teams meet like that when the stakes are that high, it makes for the best basketball in the world.”

To maximize their chances, the Warriors admit they would like the extra days to rest and prepare. They have extensive history on anticipating the benefits.

During the Warriors’ 2015 NBA title run, they eight days between the first round and Western Conference semifinals as well as a week between the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals. When they won again in 2017, the Warriors had eight days between the first and second round, six days between the second and third and 10 days between the Western Conference Finals and NBA Finals.

“You try to balance rest, staying sharp and keeping your conditioning,” Stephen Curry said.

The Warriors also try to balance between preparing for a future opponent without forgetting about their current one.

“We watch every game and understand what’s going on. We may not be as tuned and focused on the details. But I like watching basketball in general. It doesn’t really matter who’s on,” Curry said. “It’s really not hard at all. We know what Houston’s about and we know what Utah’s about and their style of play. At this point, there really isn’t anything different jumping off the TV.”

First things first, though. The Warriors need to eliminate the Clippers. During their past four trips to the NBA Finals, the Warriors have gone 12-4 in closeout games. And yet…

“Closeout games are always difficult,” Kerr said. “Both teams at this point have a really good feel for one another and strategically what each one is trying to do. I think the Clippers are going to come out flying around. They have nothing to lose.”

The Clippers have played that way in the entire first round. They baited Durant into an ejection in Game 1. They overcame a 31-point deficit to win Game 2. They have forced Curry into foul trouble (4.3 per game).
Clippers guard Lou Williams posted 25 points in Game 1 and 36 points in Game 2.

Still, the Warriors have appeared more alert since the Clippers took home-court advantage in Game 2. Durant had breakout performances in Game 3 (38 points) and Game 4 (33). So did Thompson in Game 4 (22). Williams became inefficient in Game 3 (16 points on 4-of-11 shooting) and Game 4 (12 points on 2-of-10 shooting).

“We knew if we wouldn’t come out enough and play together and play hard, our talent probably wouldn’t be enough to beat them,” Bogut said. “I think it was exactly what we needed. The circumstances and the way it went down wasn’t ideal with being up [31] and losing [Game 2]. But I think a loss in this series has been good for us.”

The Warriors believe that loss gives them less reason to coast in Game 5.  Then instead of flying back to Los Angeles for Game 6 on Friday, the Warriors could have more days like they did on Monday. Then, Thompson and teammates enjoyed the outdoors. So did the Warriors’ coaching staff after meeting to finalize Game 5 preparation.

Will they plunge into the water like Thompson did on Saturday in LA? Probably not. Yet, Kerr argues any chance to recharge “is an important aspect of the playoffs.”

“The ocean is probably the best way to clear your mind,” said Kerr, who swam in Santa Monica as a child and currently spends his offseasons in San Diego. “I know people joked about it and laughed about it because it’s Klay. But it made perfect sense to me.”

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