By George Devine, Sr.

Tonight’s game between the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State Warriors actually began when NBA commissioner Adam Silver announced that Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling was banned from the Association for life and would have to pay $2.5 million in fines. This came after a league investigation determined that Sterling indeed made racist comments recorded by a woman described as his girlfriend. With this morning’s press conference the Clippers were free to return to the series, tied at 2-2, without a cloud of uncertainty hanging over the team and the league as a whole.

Pretty much unencumbered by the recent controversy, the Clippers won by a 113-103 margin, gaining a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series. An advantage for them was the obvious enthusiasm of the hometown crowd at Staples Center in downtown L.A., sharing in the relief brought by a resolution of the Sterling situation. The outcome could have been very different: prior to the morning’s announcement by the commissioner, there were rumblings about players boycotting and fans turning their backs on the game. It didn’t happen, after the prompt action of the league.

At times, the game was closer than indicated by the final score. In the second period Golden State outscored Los Angeles 29-24. In the third, the teams tied at 22, and late in the frame a 3-pointer by Steph Curry gave the Warriors a short-lived lead, 70-69. But the persistence of the home team prevailed as Deandre Jordan led the attack with 25 points, 18 rebounds and 4 blocks. Chris Paul scored 20 and had 5 steals. Blake Griffin scored 18 and Darren Collison 15.

For the Warriors, three of the starters played for most of the game: Andre Iguodala played for 42:21, notching 18 points and 8 assists; Klay Thompson for 44:46 with 21 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists; Curry for 43:42 with 17 points, 3 rebounds and 4 assists. David Lee scored 18, had 10 boards and 4 assists. Draymond Green had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Green, Lee and Thompson were all in foul trouble with 5 apiece.

The next game in the series is at Los Angeles, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. PDT on Thursday, May 1.

Note: When the Giants’ game against the San Diego Padres ended at AT&T Park, a goodly portion of the 40,000+ in attendance stayed in the ballpark to watch the conclusion of the game from Staples on the stadium JumboTron.