By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Saturday, April 19, 2014

Golden State bounced back from a slow start and outlasted the Clippers 109-105 in Saturday’s opening game in an NBA West best-of-seven playoff game at Staples Center in Los Angeles.

The Warriors trailed 12-1 early, missing their first eight shots, and Coach Mark Jackson had to burn two time outs. But Golden State eventually caught up and maintained a slim lead through most of the second half.

Golden State made its biggest surge in the third quarter, when the Clippers’ Blake Griffin and Chris Paul found themselves on the bench in foul trouble.

Back-to-back dunks by Jermaine O’Neal and a jumper by Kay Thompson helped the Warriors build an 11-point lead early in the fourth quarter.

Paul led a furious comeback attempt by the Clippers. His fast-break layup brought LA to within 98-92, and his 3-pointer cut the Clips’ deficit to 100-97 with 3:30 to play.

After DeAndre Jordan, a poor free throw shooter, hit a pair of them to bring the Clippers to within one, Paul nailed another 3-ball to tie the game at 102.

LA took a 103-102 on a Darren Collison free throw. On the Warriors’ ensuing possession, Collison blocked a shot to start a 3-on-1 break. But Harrison Barnes blocked Paul’s 5-footer and proceeded to hit a 3-pointer, putting Golden State up 105-103.

Griffin sank a pair of free throws for the game’s 18th and final tie at 105-105 with 1:30 remaining. The Warriors lost the ball on its next possession on a shot-clock violation, Then Griffin fouled out, and with 37 seconds remaining, the Clippers committed one of their 17 turnovers and lost a video review.

Both teams were plagued by foul trouble. Golden State’s David Lee and Andre Iguldala both fouled out.

Thompson led the Warriors with 22 points, followed by Lee with 20 and Stephen Curry with 14. Lee also had 13 boards and three assists.

Paul netted a game-high 28 points for the Clippers, along with seven rebounds and eight assists. J.J. Redick added 22 points and Griffin fouled out with 16 points. Jordan finished with 11 points and 14 rebounds.

Game 2 is Monday night, again at Staples Center.