Clippers set for shootout vs. Thunder

OKLAHOMA CITY— The Los Angeles Clippers initially were reeling after the incendiary racial comments by owner Donald Sterling that got him banned from the NBA for life.

The team unified and rallied to beat the Golden State Warriors in seven games, setting up a Western Conference semifinal against Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder that starts Monday.

“For us, it’s basketball,” Clippers point guard Chris Paul said.

“Had we lost this game, it wasn’t like they were going to let us go to the next round because of what we’ve been through. I think it just showed our will, our fight.”

The Thunder fought through a different kind of challenge — a familiar foe with a difficult style. Oklahoma City survived a grind-it-out series against the Memphis Grizzlies and prevailed in seven games.

There should be a lot less grinding and a lot more running and gunning in this matchup.

The Clippers led the NBA in scoring during the regular season with 107.9 points per game.

All-star forward Blake Griffin has improved his all-around game, and Paul is perhaps the league’s best point guard.

“This team runs at a high level, they pass the ball up the floor at a high level,” Durant said. “They advance the ball, they have athletic guys and shooters all around. Our defence is going to be tested.”

The Thunder ranked fifth in scoring this season with106.2 points per game. Durant was the league’s scoring champion.