The Warriors didn’t need Stephen Curry on Wednesday, but the Clippers definitely could've used Chris Paul and Blake Griffin.
The Clippers faltered without their ailing stars, dropping Game 5, 108-98, at home to the Trail Blazers. Up the road in Oakland, the Warriors put the Rockets out of their misery with a dominating 114-81 performance. The reigning champs advance to the second round in spite of Curry's absence.
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The Clippers, who now trail the Blazers 3-2 as the series heads back to Portland, managed to keep the game close for the most part, but things began to come apart in the second half.
The Warriors didn’t look too different from the squad that won a record 73 games this season, even without the NBA’s leading scorer. Klay Thompson led the way with 27 points, hitting 7 of his 11 attempts from the 3-point line.
"It was a total team effort," Thompson said. "That's how it's going to have to be with the MVP out. It's going to be a collective effort every night."
Stud of the Night
C.J. McCollum was clutch for the Trail Blazers, scoring 27 points as his team inched one win closer to a first-round upset.
JOSEPH: How McCollum became Most Improved Player
Dud of the Night
This "award" goes to any Rockets not named James Harden. Harden scored 35 points on 13-for-23 shooting, but the rest of the team shot 18 for 76 from the field as their season came to an end.
Tweet of the Night
Little did Dwyane Wade know his wife was more furious than he was at the supposed missed call as he appeared to be fouled in the final seconds of the Heat's 90-88 loss to the Hornets.
Wade: "My wife's got to deal with me tonight. I'm going to be pissed off all night." (Sorry, @itsgabrielleu )
— Tim Reynolds (@ByTimReynolds) April 28, 2016
Looking ahead
Hawks at Celtics, Game 6, 8 p.m. ET, TNT (Hawks lead 3-2): The Celtics will look to keep their season alive and recover from their blowout loss. The Hawks will try to finally win one in Boston.