Warriors defeat Clippers to take 3-1 series lead, 113-105

Despite struggles from their star point guard Stephen Curry, the Warriors were able to edge the Los Angeles Clippers in game four of the series to take a 3-1 series lead.

Clippers head coach Doc Rivers said his team’s ability to lock down on defense kept the game close,  but their inability to score when it counted cost them the game.

The Warriors average 130 points per game on 54 percent shooting and the Clippers were able to hold them to 113 points on 47 percent shooting.

“Offensively, we just weren’t very good,” Rivers said. “We didn’t score on two four-on-ones, one three-on-one and one two-on-one, and we came up empty. In the playoffs, you got to get at least one point out of all of those.”

Curry scored 12 points on 21 percent shooting from the field but was bailed out by fellow superstars Klay Thompson and Kevin Durant who scored 33 and 32 points, respectively.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the rookie out of Kentucky, led the Clippers with 25 points in 31 minutes. Patrick Beverly earned a double-double with a 12-point, 10-rebound performance.

Another factor that hurt the Clippers Sunday evening was their poor rebounding, who were outrebounded 49-33.

“Right now, they are crushing us on the glass,” Rivers said. “One reason is you’ve gotta rotate to their shooters, which allows their bigs to be free on the glass. We’ve got to do a better job.”

The Warriors will look to close out the series Wednesday night in front of their home fans at Oracle Arena. Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. eastern.