By George Devine, Sr.

With David Lee sidelined for the fifth game in a row due to a sprained right hamstring, and Andrew Bogut out for the fourth consecutive game with a bruise in the pelvic area, the Warriors were not in the best possible shape for their game against the Kings at a sold-out Oracle Arena. It didn’t matter, as Golden State gave up the least points all year to Sacramento, in a 102-69 blowout. Conversely, the Kings scored their fewest points of the season, in this David-Goliath matchup in which — unlike the Bible story — the giant triumphed over the slingshot.

The imbalance of power was conspicuous throughout the night: Golden State led by 59-27 at the half, and shortly after by 75-33 early in the third period.

The game gave the W’s an advantage in terms of playoff hopes: they are now 2.5 games behind fifth-place Portland and will be playing some of their less daunting opponents in their remaining six contests.

At first it appeared that the absence of Lee and Bogut would leave the Dubs vulnerable inside, allowing DeMarcus Cousins to score almost at will. As it turned out, Cousins did notch 19 points, which is hardly a banner night for him. He was in foul trouble within the first two minutes of the game, and another foul — a technical against coach Mike Malone — ensued when he tried to intervene in behalf of his big man. Another high scorer for the Kings, Rudy Gay, was good for only 10 points, roughly half of his average. Cousins contributed 11 boards, but the Kings were outrebounded, 58-44. Even with Cousins’ efforts, the Kings were outscored 54-28 in the paint. Isaiah Thomas, meanwhile, was missing from the Sacramento lineup for the sixth time in a row due to a right quadriceps injury.

For Golden State, Klay Thompson had 21 points and Stephen Curry 13. Jermaine O’Neal added 13 points and 9 boards, and Draymond Green was good for 10 in each of those two categories. In the mean time, the Kings turned the ball over 16 times. Most of those turnovers turned into fast breaks for the Warriors, a good number of them dramatic dunks that sent the crowd into a frenzy and the Golden State into a series of celebrations on the bench.