This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Golden State Warriors look, at least to everyone with a functional set of eyes, like a runaway freight train in the NBA's Western Conference. Even when they're not at their best for stretches like the second quarter against the Utah Jazz on Saturday night, they can pull it together for a double-digit win.
Despite their track record of success in both the regular season (best record in the NBA, 67-15) and postseason (7-0 thus far) as well as what seems to be a predestined rematch with the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, the Warriors haven't taken victories for granted. They're certainly not expecting an easy path to a series sweep when they tip-off Game 4 against the Jazz on Monday night in Vivint Smart Home Arena.
"They don't quit," Warriors forward Kevin Durant said on Sunday. "That's what I love about this team. They have a great coach. They play physical. They don't give up. They've got a great crowd as well so they're going to try to feed off of that. The series is far from over."
Durant led the Warriors to a 102-91 win in Game 3 with 38 points and 13 rebounds on a night when All-Stars Klay Thompson and Draymond Green combined for 15 points while former MVP Steph Curry shot 6 for 20 from the floor. However, the Jazz may be hard-pressed to contain Thompson, Green and Curry that well again in Game 4.
The Warriors, who are attempting to make a third straight run to the NBA Finals this postseason, have already set a franchise record for consecutive wins to start the playoffs (seven). Just twice previously had the franchise won six straight playoff games in the same postseason.
In the previous round against Portland, the Warriors dominated Game 4 on the road as their hosts tried to fight off elimination. The Warriors scored 45 first-quarter points and built up a 24-point halftime lead on their way to a 128-103 win to close that series.
"This team is really tough, especially at home," Warriors acting coach Mike Brown said. "We had a phenomenal start, especially, in Portland and [phenomenal] game all together. You'd love to duplicate that, but I don't know if the Jazz are going to let us do that. They're tough-minded. Quin [Snyder] is a great coach. Their crowd is going to be into it. So it's going to be a tough contest.
"For us to try to go out there [Monday] night and duplicate what we did in Portland is definitely the goal."
lworthy@sltrib.com Twitter: @LWorthySports