What a time to be a Golden State Warrior fan! The defending champions are cruising through the playoffs at with a 6-1 record, and grip an imposing 2-0 lead in the second round over the spunky New Orleans Pelicans. First, the Birds were blown out of the sky in Game 1 by Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, and Draymond Green as Steph Curry took some extra time to recover from his sprained knee. Then, “Unanimous” returned from the bench in Game 2 to weaponize some joy, lighting N’awlins up like a Christmas tree.
After chewing over the first two games, I esteem the Pelicans to be much like gas station beef jerky: tough to chew, but ultimately a snack on the road leading to a more substantial meal.
Then again, if you’re attempting to maneuver through tight Bay Area traffic and absentmindedly start wolfing down that jerky too fast, you could easily succumb to a choking fit. And maybe die. So, I guess what I’m saying is, let’s hope the Warriors value every bite and wash the Pelicans down with some smooth chocolate milk. Right, Klay?
(1) Houston Rockets lead series 1-0 vs (4) Utah Jazz
Game 2 @ 5 P.M. on TNT
Meanwhile, two spicy Western Conference entrees that the Warriors have devoured in the playoff feasts of recent years will be on full display this evening. The Houston Rockets are currently up 1-0 over the Utah Jazz after a 110-96 cakewalk, carrying major swagger into tonight’s game.
Sure, that swag is spearheaded by presumed MVP James Harden, who destroyed Utah’s defense for 41 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists. But, we can’t deny the large part center Clint Capela played in the Rockets’ performance as he got the best of Jazz big man Rudy Gobert. The Dream Shake went into detail discussing Capela’s impact on not only this series, but this whole season:
Capela just showed off how far he’s come as player in Sunday’s thrashing of the Utah Jazz in the opening game of the Western Conference Semifinals. He thoroughly outplayed leading Defensive Player of the Year candidate Rudy Gobert, holding him without a field goal until halfway through the fourth quarter and just 11 total points and 9 rebounds on the day.
Meanwhile, Capela took it to Gobert offensively, racking up 16 points and 12 boards, and he set the tone of the game early with his athleticism and physicality. He got out on the break and beat Gobert down the court for an easy bucket, and not long after that, posterized the Utah big man in one of my new all-time favorite Rockets playoff dunks.
Yikes. Is Capela the next great Houston big man in the mold of Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Yao Ming? Gobert better hope not.
Will Utah steal Game 2? Or will Houston beat them down again?
Find out, NEXT!