Chapter 119: Playoffs Begin! The Star-Studded Warriors vs. The Underdog Clippers

The regular season had just ended, but for playoff-bound teams, there was little time to rest. Most teams were set to begin their playoff journey within two or three days, and the Warriors would be among the first to take the court.

As the top seed in the Western Conference, the Warriors' opponent was the eighth-seeded Los Angeles Clippers. The Clippers had no All-Star-level players, and their lineup lacked star power. Nevertheless, their playoff qualification surprised many. The biggest name on the team was sixth-man specialist Lou Williams. Most commentators saw the Clippers as the weakest team in the playoffs and doubted any "first-round miracle" was in store. The consensus was that the Warriors would sweep the Clippers and easily advance to the second round.

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Ahead of the playoffs, Tang Lei prepared with full focus. With all Warriors players healthy, head coach Steve Kerr decided to assign Tang to the sixth-man role. Tang accepted the decision; while he wanted a starting position, he understood the team's elite lineup left little room. Although he was capable of challenging any of the starters, professional basketball often required more than just skill—factors like team chemistry, seniority, and even mental balance also played essential roles.

Of course, Tang understood the team's strategy. By giving him the sixth-man role, they subtly controlled his exposure, hoping to re-sign him at a reasonable salary in the offseason. Tang knew the realities of the NBA as a business-driven league, and his focus remained solely on proving himself on the playoff stage.

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April 14, 2019

The Warriors and Clippers playoff series tipped off at Oracle Arena. The Warriors' home fans, decked out in yellow team T-shirts, created an awe-inspiring wave of color. Tang Lei took a deep breath, soaking in the electrifying energy from the stands.

While the fans sported yellow T-shirts, the Warriors players took the court in their white jerseys, facing the Clippers dressed in black away uniforms. As the top seed, the Warriors had the home-court advantage in the 2-2-1-1-1 format, meaning the first team to four victories would move on to the next round. Starting the first two games at home would give the Warriors an opportunity to build confidence and establish a psychological edge.

With the pre-game ceremonies over, the starting players from both teams took their positions. The Warriors' lineup remained unchanged: Curry, Durant, Thompson, Green, and Cousins. Meanwhile, the Clippers fielded Gallinari, Gilgeous-Alexander, Harrell, Beverley, and Zubac.

In the opening jump ball, Cousins, fueled by the roaring home crowd, seized possession for the Warriors. Green advanced past half-court with the ball, while Curry's off-ball movement quickly created an opening. Curry caught the ball, launched, and the lightning-fast release left Gilgeous-Alexander unable to contest. The net swished as Curry's shot settled smoothly through the hoop—3-0, Warriors.

The Clippers responded, with Gilgeous-Alexander bringing the ball up the floor and attempting to drive against Curry. However, the young guard found himself outmaneuvered, his shot falling short as Cousins secured the rebound and passed it to Green. Green, who had mended fences with Cousins after their earlier friction, gave a smile and calmly pushed the ball forward.

Green found Durant open near the paint, and Durant, with a sizable height advantage over Beverley, effortlessly spun and hit a mid-range jumper, extending the Warriors' lead to 5-0.

On the Clippers' next possession, Harrell answered unexpectedly with a three-pointer, narrowing the gap to 5-3. The crowd reacted with surprise, as Harrell wasn't known for his range, but the Clippers were fighting to stay within reach.

Curry then returned with a deep three-pointer of his own, hitting from well beyond the arc with his signature confidence, bringing the score to 8-3. The Warriors were heating up. Harrell attempted to answer again but missed, the ball bouncing wide. Zubac, capitalizing on his height, collected the offensive rebound and passed it to Harrell, who cut inside and thunderously dunked the ball, shaking the basket's frame and energizing the Clippers. The scoreboard now read 8-5, Warriors.

Despite the Clippers' spirited start, as the game wore on, the gaps in their lineup started to show. The Warriors, seizing upon each opportunity, methodically widened the gap. In the playoffs, ruthlessness is the name of the game. Respecting one's opponent means bringing the best version of yourself.