
KD has always been a fantastic scorer. But not like this.
Kevin Durant took Game 6 of the Golden State Warriors’ first-round series against the Los Angeles Clippers into his own hands, and made history. Tying Charles Barkley’s 38 point first-half playoff scoring record, KD established early that this game was going to be the series’ finale.
When asked by CSN Bay Area sideline reporter Kerith Burke at halftime if he felt like he could score at will, Durant candidly said, “yeah.” That pretty much explains it, as he went on to pour in 50 points total. All of them were needed to fend off the pesky Clippers.
.@KerithBurke: “Are you in a zone where you feel like you can score at will?
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) April 27, 2019
-Kevin Durant (who scored 38 points in the 1st half): “Yeah.” pic.twitter.com/49vjhqUf0g
Durant finished with 50 points on 15-of-26 shooting and six rebounds. He was otherworldly, even by his standards on this legendary team.
38 (!!) first-half points for Kevin Durant
— ESPN (@espn) April 27, 2019
THAT IS NOT A TYPO pic.twitter.com/FDa5cvQuH0
Durant’s performance on Friday night was a reminder that he is one of the best to ever play. He isn’t merely a Warriors add-on, if he ever really was. He’s absolutely essential to what Golden State does, and holds the key to the Dubs chances of three-peating.
He was hot from inside the paint, from outside the arc, knocking down shots at the free throw line (14-of-15). No matter how closely he was defended, the seven-foot point-forward was unfazed.
THIS shot went in:
lmao KD is unstoppable if he's making shots like these pic.twitter.com/h8qTfGCxe4
— SB Nation (@SBNation) April 27, 2019
He hit shots off-balance:
5⃣0⃣ points for 3⃣5⃣
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 27, 2019
@NBCSAuthentic & @espn pic.twitter.com/ehmqWKyklI
Off-the-dribble from range:
#SPLASH
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 27, 2019
KD has poured in 15 points in the first stanza
@NBCSAuthentic & @espn pic.twitter.com/kJWVvTX3MX
And fading away:
BUCKETS
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) April 27, 2019
KD is putting on a display pic.twitter.com/gPD9e507yt
Steph Curry was stellar in this series, but he rode second-fiddle to Durant’s fantastic 42-points per game average on 59 percent shooting production. Durant’s been overlooked as far as individual performers in the playoffs, maybe in part due to the fatigue fans have for the Warriors. But he’s right up there with the league’s best, if not at the very top.
The Warriors needed Durant on Friday, too. Los Angeles maintained pace with Golden State through the first-half KD onslaught. An average performance would’ve created a much tighter finish in what needed to be a close-out game.
The Houston Rockets are well-rested, while Golden State has a mere 48 hours to prepare for Round 2.
But the Rockets can’t be at ease watching how unstoppable Durant looks.
from SBNation.com - All Posts http://bit.ly/2ILhor9

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