OAKLAND, Calif. -- So much for those 3-point problems.
Three days removed from shooting a paltry 6-for-31 from behind the arc in Game 3, the Golden State Warriors hit 15-of-32 triples en route to an 118-97 victory over the Clippers in Game 4 on Sunday afternoon.
In a contest controlled on the court by the Warriors and dominated off it by the controversy surrounding the alleged racial comments by Clippers owner Donald Sterling, L.A. seemed mostly out of synch from the opening tip.
Not even the opening tip -- during pregame layup lines, the first Clippers' player down, Darren Collison, dribbled the ball of his foot -- much to the delight of the rowdy Oracle Arena crowd.
Stephen Curry was nearly unstoppable from 3-point land, hitting five alone in the first quarter to end with 33 points (7 of 14 from behind the arc). Curry's sharpshooting counterpart, Klay Thompson, added 15 points (3 for 8).
"I was looking for any space I could get," Curry said. "Once you hit a couple (3s) early, it seems like there's more space that opens up."
Doc Rivers, Chris Paul shoulder blame for Game 4 loss to Warriors
"Our superstar basketball player (Curry) was special," Warriors coach Mark Jackson added.
Andre Iguodala and Harrison Barnes combined for another four 3-pointers.
"Their shooting is the best we've seen maybe ever or in years and you have to deal with it," Clippers coach Doc Rivers said. "Mark (Jackson) must have done a wonderful job getting him free.
Rivers took the blame for the blowout loss, saying that despite what was allegedly said by Sterling, it's his job to get the team ready to play.
"Once the game starts, there's no excuses not to play and to play like we played," Rivers said. "Whatever the distractions, I've got to do a better job."
"I believe everyone was affected by what took place, I don't think it was just the Clippers," Jackson added.
With the series now tied at 2, Game 5 is set for Tuesday at Staples Center starting at 7 p.m. on Prime Ticket.
