by Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors got off to a good start Wednesday night in Sacramento defeating the Kings 95-77. For new head coach, it was his first win ever as a coach in the NBA.

The Warriors were without the services of their great Forward, David Lee, due to a hamstring injury. However, Marreese Speights, filling in for Lee, came off the bench and scored 16 points to help the W’s to the win.

The first half ended with Sacramento holding a slim 49-47 lead. The Kings controlled the board and the Warriors couldn’t get anything going. Centers Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli and ognjen Kuzmic all were in foul trouble in the first half. However, the Warriors defense was strong and the Kings shot just 31 % from the floor. Steph Curry, Klay Thompson and Mo Speights led the W’s in scoring.

With 8:14 left in the third period and all three centers saddled with four fouls, coach Kerr went small and inserted Draymond Green at center. That move ignited the offense and they were able to be in rhythm and got momentum going. The Warriors defense shut down the Kings allowing them just fourteen points in the third period and fourteen points in the fourth period to secure the win. Steph Curry had 24 points, 5 assists, 10 rebounds and six steals. Klay Thompson had nineteen points, Mo Speights kicked in with 16 and Draymond Green had a double-double. Forward Harrison Barnes found his mojo and played a very strong game underneath the boards for the warriors. Final score 95-77.

The W’s announced that they waived the following players-Aaron Craft, Jason Kapono, Sean Kilpatrick, James Michael McAdoo and Mitchell Watt in ordet to get the roster down to 15 players.

The Warriors face the Los Angeles Lakers Saturday night at the Oracle Arena at 7:30 PM

Warriors Guard Will Donate Three Life-Saving Bednets For Every Three-Pointer He Makes this Season To Help Protect Families In Africa from Malaria; Warriors To Match Donation

OAKLAND, CA – Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry will once again lead his Three for Three Challenge for the 2014-15 season by donating three life-saving bednets to the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign for every three-pointer he makes this season, it was announced today. The Warriors also announced today the team will match Curry’s donation throughout the 2014-15 season up to $5,000.

During his first two seasons running the challenge (2012-13 & 2013-14), Curry donated 1,599 bednets to help thousands of families avoid malaria infection. During the 2012-13 season, Curry established a new NBA single-season three-point record with 272 three-pointers made and donated 816 bednets, and last season (2013-14), Curry recorded 261 three-pointers, providing 783 bednets to families.

“I am honored to support the Nothing But Nets campaign for the third season in a row to continue to help raise awareness and provide bednets to protect families from malaria,” said Curry. “This has been an issue close to my heart since my days at Davidson, and I am grateful that the Warriors organization is helping me once again this season to give to such an important cause.”

Since his time as a college star at Davidson when his college roommate, Bryant Barr, educated him and encouraged him to get involved in the cause, Curry has been a committed champion of the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign, which works with the UN and other partners to distribute insecticide-treated mosquito nets to protect families across sub-Saharan Africa from malaria. Every 60 seconds, a child dies from malaria. Malaria kills more than 600,000 people worldwide every year, most of them children under five. Bednets provide a simple, cost-effective solution. It only costs $10 to purchase and deliver a bednet, and provide education on its proper use. Since 2006, Nothing But Nets has delivered millions of life-saving bednets to protect families in need thanks to the generous contributions from its partners, champions, and supporters.

“Last year, Stephen traveled with us to Tanzania and saw first-hand how malaria can devastate families,” said Chris Helfrich, director of theNothing But Nets campaign. “We are so grateful that he and the Golden State Warriors have inspired thousands of fans to get involved in the fight to defeat malaria.”

Fans can get involved to help Curry and the Golden State Warriors in the fight against malaria. Go to www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and help save a life.