Draymond Green thinks the Warriors will benefit from completing a sweep of the Trail Blazers.
Golden State holds a commanding 3-0 lead over Portland in the Western Conference finals after rallying from a double-digit halftime deficit in back-to-back games. The Warriors would have nine days off before the start of the NBA Finals if they win Game 4 on Monday at the Moda Center.
“I think it’s very motivating for us to try and sweep this series and have that time off,” Green told reporters Sunday, via the Mercury News. “We’re a little banged up. Nine days off would be great for us.”
Draymond outlines pretty well how sweeping Portland is most important so team can rest for nine days before NBA Finals pic.twitter.com/UNqfC6R2Fu
— Mark Medina (@MarkG_Medina) May 19, 2019
The Warriors have been dealing with injuries to key players throughout the postseason.
Andre Iguodala hurt his leg Saturday in Game 3 and Kevin Durant has yet to return after straining his calf in the Western Conference semifinals while DeMarcus Cousins tore his left quadriceps muscle during the Warriors' first-round series in mid-April.
“[Nine days off would] allow Andre time to heal,” Green said. “But also, allow the possibility of Kevin and DeMarcus to get healthy and come back, as well. It’s very important for us to come out [Monday] with the right mindset. … We’ve got a great opportunity.”
Green said the Trail Blazers are a “very resilient group.”
“They’re not going to lay down,” Green said. “They have great leadership in Dame (Damian Lillard) and CJ [McCollum]. They’re going to come out and continue to play and play with the force they’ve been playing with. [We have to] make sure we come out with the right mindset and focus that we know that it takes to close out a series, especially on the road.”
The 29-year-old Green finished with a triple-double — recording 20 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists — in Golden State’s Game 3 victory.
Game 4 is schedule to tipoff Monday at 9 p.m. ET.