Watch Golden State Warriors @ Los Angeles Clippers Game 3 in the early hours of Friday morning live on Sky Sports Arena
Thursday 18 April 2019 19:21, UK
The Golden State Warriors must avoid straying from their game plan if they are to avenge their shock Game 2 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers when the series resumes, according to former NBA champion Bruce Bowen.
The Clippers produced a record comeback as they came from 31 points down at Oracle Arena, stunning the two-time reigning champions as the series was levelled at 1-1.
Game 3 takes place at the Staples Center on Thursday night, with the constant spotlight that follows the Warriors having only intensified following Monday night's defeat.
"Any time you don't play the right way is a time to be concerned," Bowen told Sky Sports News. "The fact that they got that 31-point lead just shows that they are a dominant team and more dominant than the other group they're competing against.
"But at the same time, it's truly about sticking to the game plan. A lot of times when players stray away from the game plan and decide to take matters into their own hands, this is what tends to happen, a loss.
"A loss that they've had to deal with not only just at the Oracle Arena, but also media talking about it every single day, so those guys can't wait to get back on the court."
Los Angeles have been aided by Patrick Beverley's superb defence on two-time reigning finals MVP Kevin Durant, who has become increasingly frustrated by the Clippers point guard's physical approach despite holding a considerable height advantage.
Durant has scored well below his regular season average so far and was ejected from the series opener after receiving a technical for taunting Beverley, before being fouled out of Game 2.
"I think he's doing a fantastic job especially with the height differential," Bowen said. "You're talking about Patrick Beverley, who's listed at six feet... and Kevin Durant at six-10. It's the whole David and Goliath type deal.
"It's the aggressive play of Patrick Beverley that has allowed him to be in this position right now, to be in the playoffs and in the NBA for that matter.
"He (Durant) understands how to score and how to do things. It's just a matter of him getting back to it and not allowing Beverley to have such an impact on his style of play."
Watch Warriors @ Clippers Game 3 live on Sky Sports Arena in the early hours of Friday morning (3:30am)
