Kevin Durant said, “I wish I had that last play back,” referring to the Golden State Warriors’ final transition possession with less than 12 seconds remaining in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals on Tuesday.
Stephen Curry (39), Thompson (39), Durant (43) and Green (45) all played 39 or more minutes. Andre Iguodala was sidelined with a left leg contusion. The Warriors outscored the Rockets 34-17 in the third quarter, but due to an even further shortened rotation without Iguodala, Kerr said fatigue played a factor down the stretch.
The Golden State Warriors went on a 16-3 run to close the third quarter with a double-digit lead, but Chris Paul directed the Houston Rockets to a 25-12 closing quarter that evened the West finals at 2-2.
Baynes has been one of the keys to Boston’s Playoff run that sees them up 2-1 over the Cavaliers ahead of Game 4 in Cleveland on Monday night [EST], the Aussie’s three-point shooting surprising everyone but Stevens and Baynes himself.
Having secured an NBA ring under Popovich at San Antonio in 2014, Baynes understands what it takes to win a Championship. Playing alongside Spurs greats Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, the Australian says he learned how best to prepare and the importance of routine.
But it was Popovich who ran the show, and Baynes sees a lot of the veteran NBA mentor in the Celtics’ Stevens.
“They’re both great with the X’s and O’s,” Baynes said of the similarities between Popovich and Stevens. “They’ve all figured out more than I’ve ever learned, so every chance I get and can see some things from them, I’m trying to learn as much as I can.