Just Give Bogdan a Chance! Serb Finally Gets Real Opportunity and Torches Warriors' Basket

The Clippers secured the ninth seed and are set to host the tenth-seeded Warriors on Wednesday, following Portland's 122-110 victory over Sacramento, which clinched the eighth spot for the Trail Blazers. Although both the Clippers and Trail Blazers finished with identical 42-40 records, Portland held the tie-breaker due to a superior Western Conference record.

The Los Angeles squad endured a dismal 6-21 start to the season but managed to rebound, extending their franchise record to 15 consecutive winning seasons. This marks the longest active streak in the NBA and the fourth-longest in league history.

Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 24 points, shooting 4-of-9 from beyond the arc, as his team concluded the season with a 37-45 record. He played only 29 minutes, having appeared in four of the last five games after missing the previous 27 due to a right knee injury.

The Clippers' bench outscored the Warriors' reserves 71-56. Alongside Mathurin, Bogdan Bogdanović was a standout, matching his season-high with 17 points, including five three-pointers, three of which came consecutively in the fourth quarter.

He seized this opportunity after three games on the bench. Previously, he played just two and a half minutes against the Kings, following five games where he received no playing time. This performance once again demonstrated that his lack of playing time was undeserved.

John Collins contributed 18 points and nine rebounds, one of six Clippers players to score in double figures.

Kawhi Leonard was sidelined for the Clippers due to ankle and wrist issues, while Draymond Green was absent for the Warriors with a back injury.

The Clippers drained five three-pointers in the final quarter, while the Warriors managed only one, a crucial difference that decided the game. Despite the Warriors tying the score five times in the third quarter, the Clippers entered the decisive period with an 83-81 lead.

The Clippers have now won 11 of their last 12 home games against Golden State, including nine consecutive victories. The Warriors haven't secured a road win against the Clippers since November 28, 2021.

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