The Golden State Warriors didn't play like they wanted to beat the Portland Trail Blazers Monday night. They played liked they needed to, as if a Western Conference Finals sweep was mission critical to winning their third straight championship, because, well, it just might be.
That urgency paid off. The Warriors got their Game 4 victory and their series sweep with a 119-117 overtime triumph. Now they'll get everything that comes with it: nine days of rest and, most importantly, the chance to enter the NBA Finals whole again.
Both DeMarcus Cousins (torn left quad) and Kevin Durant (strained right calf) remained on the shelf for Game 4.