The Golden State Warriors will be entering Game-Four of the NBA Western Conference semifinals with the Utah Jazz on Sunday looking to even up the series at two games apiece before the teams go back to Salt Lake City for game five on Tuesday. Playing in front of the home crowd fans will definitely help in that matter. Golden State has played well on home court at Oracle Arena all season, and especially during the playoffs where they are 4-0.
In Friday’s thrilling 125-105 victory, Golden State took control of that contest early, going on a 15-0 run in the first quarter before setting a franchise-playoff record with 40 second-quarter points. The Warriors led by 21 at the break and maintained at least a 15-point advantage the rest of the way.
Baron Davis again led the Warrior s’ attack, finishing Friday night with 32 points, nine assists and six steals, all game highs. Davis has carried the team during its postseason run, leading the team in scoring in all three games this series and six times overall this postseason. The Warriors will count on the seventh-year UCLA product for continued leadership, but he won’t be the only one needed to produce.
With Utah presenting a dynamic frontline of Mehmet Okur, Carlos Boozer and Andrei Kirilenko, the Warriors' big men will need to stay out of foul trouble. Andris Biedrins and Al Harrington will need to maximize their time on the floor and avoid ticky-tack fouls if coach Don Nelson is to continue to go with an eight-man rotation. The defensive versatility of Stephen Jackson will lend a hand in defending Utah's bigs.
Golden State is favored by a -7.0 spread with a -330 price on the money line (ml). Utah is getting +270 ml juice. For Utah to win the game they need to find a way to keep the total under, currently set at 219. In all three games of the series the total has soared OVER.
