Warriors Mystified on How to Stop Griffin

Photo by: Bay Area News Group

Stephen Curry had no lift on the potential two-point shot that would've tied the game before end of regulation. Chris Paul who contested Curry's shot appeared to make contact but no call was made in the final seconds of the game.

"I thought I initiated enough contact," Curry said. "That's my go-to move, the step-back. I'm not going to air ball that."

Unfortunately, that's exactly what happened: Curry floated an air ball and the Clippers celebrated as they go up 2-1 in the best-of-seven series. The problem for the Warriors wasn't missing a two-point shot before the buzzer but more the tandem of of Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan.

The two combined dominated Golden State on both sides of the court. Griffin finished with 32 points and eight rebounds while Jordan grabbed 22 rebounds and had 14 points. Without Andrew Bogut, the Warriors are struggling defensively in the paint.

"For us to withstand their biggest punch and keep our defense up," said Jordan. "I thought that was the key to us winning the game."

Despite fouling out, Draymond Green provided better defense on Griffin who came out to start the third quarter on a 10-0 run. David Lee had no answer in containing Griffin who hit 12 of his first 17 shots. Green on the other hand was more successful in guarding Griffin to cut the lead down to one point late in the fourth.

"He's playing at a high level right now," head coach Mark Jackson said. "He's making plays and he's making shots. On the block, he's aggressive. He's having an outstanding series, capping off an outstanding year."