Warriors back in the ‘W’ column

Golden State makes series statement in Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES – This time, the Warriors did not squander a 31-point lead. This time, Kevin Durant played aggressively.

Unlike their Game 2 collapse, the Warriors coasted to a 132-105 Game 3 win over the Los Angeles Clippers in their first-round series on Thursday. Unlike his Game 2 performance, Durant looked more for his shot and finished with 38 points while going 14-of23 from the field and 7-of-8 from the free-throw line after sitting through the entire fourth quarter.

Not only did this serve as a redemption game for Durant, who had more turnovers (nine) than shots (eight) in the Warriors’ Game 2 loss. This also served as a redemption game for the Warriors themselves. After squandering a 31-point lead in Game 2, the Warriors held firmly on their 24-point lead. Beyond Durant’s production, the Warriors leaned on other stars in Stephen Curry (21 points), Andrew Iguodala (15) and Klay Thompson (12). After losing Demarcus Cousins with a likely post-season ending injury with a torn quadriceps in his left leg, the Warriors’ center spot looked just fine with starting center Andrew Bogut (eight points, 14 rebounds) and reserve Kevon Looney (10 points).

The Warriors interestingly held a 31-point lead when they held a 88-57 lead over the Clippers with 7:10 left in the third quarter. This time, though, the Warriors extended that lead to 35 and never let it get past 27. In a game that became overly officiated, the Warriors (28 fouls) and Clippers (25) became plagued with foul trouble once again. Curry collected his fourth foul with 8:46 left in the third quarter. Warriors coach Steve Kerr sat Curry once again, but the Warriors managed just fine.

The only bad development: Durant collected his third post-season technical after he and Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari were called for a double technicals over some mild bantering. Nonetheless, Durant is four technicals away from serving a one-game suspension.

The Warriors, which have a 2-1 series lead, play Game 4 against the Clippers on Sunday.

Bay Area News Group/tns Golden State Warriors’ Kevin Durant shoots the ball against Los Angeles Clippers in the first quarter of Game 3 of an NBA first round playoff series at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Thursday.