Warriors Eliminate Trail Blazers; Rockets Finish Off Thunder in NBA Playoffs

If the play of Golden State in its four game sweep of Portland in the first round of the playoffs is any indication, the rest of the NBA should be very wary of the Warriors going forward. Golden State closed out the series with a 128-103 victory on April 24th, after winning the first three games by scores of 121-109, 110-81, and 119-113. The Warriors scored a record tying 45 points in the first quarter and it was essentially over.

With Kevin Durant back from his injury, Golden State appears to be hitting its stride at the right time.

Elsewhere, Russell Westbrook’s remarkable season came to an end as the Houston Rockets beat the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-99 on April 25th. Houston took that first round series four games to one. The question now is whether Westbrook will win the league’s MVP award. Critics say, with some justification, he tries to do it all himself, which doesn’t work when his shooting is cold. On the other hand, it also points up the fact that OKC needs to get him some help in the off season.