Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry attempts to find a teammate to pass to against the Milwaukee Bucks’ Bobby Portis and Wesley Matthews at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on Thu Jan 13, 2022 (AP News photo)

Bucks Cruise Past Warriors 118-99

By Barbara Mason

It is not a happy time for the Golden State Warriors (30-11) of late. In their last four games they are at the bottom of the NBA for offensive rating, points per game and three-point FG.

They are averaging 95.5 points per game, they are shooting 25% from downtown and the offensive rating is 95.5. Very un-Warrior-like play; they are struggling right now immersed in a true winter chill. That chill continued like frozen bricks as Golden State lost their fourth out of five games 118-99 to the Milwaukee Bucks (27-17).

Thursday night the Warriors were facing yet another challenge traveling to Milwaukee to play the Bucks. The world champs are led by superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo and once again Golden State will be missing Draymond Green out with a left calf issue. He is doubtful for the remainder of their road trip. This is a big loss for Golden State; taking the court without the defensive prowess and leadership that Green provides.

The Bucks came into the first quarter in a perfect start for Milwaukee. They established an early lead 37-21. In the early part of the second quarter the Bucks were shooting 62% to the Warriors 37% and Golden State was getting drummed out of the building.

They were four of 20 from downtown, missing open shot and had those turnover issues once again. It seemed that the Bucks could hardly miss a shot in the first half. They led 77-38 at the half and continued to shoot 62% while the Warriors could only manage 27% shooting by the end of two quarters.

Not a single Warrior had double digits at first half’s end while the Bucks had four players, Antetokounmpo, Khris Middleton, Bobby Portis and Grayson Allen shooting at will practically unable to miss. These guys were going crazy having the time of their lives at the expense of Golden State. It was an unbelievable deficit going into the third quarter.

Mid-way through the third quarter two Warriors finally reached double digits. Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins had 10 and 14 respectively. By third quarters end the Warriors had cut their deficit to 97-72. They had really dialed their game up winning the third quarter 34-20. While it was too little too late it was certainly a positive in an otherwise disastrous game for the Warriors.

The Warriors went on to win the fourth quarter outscoring the Bucks in the second half by 20 points. When you allow 77 points in the first half odds are that you have little to no chance to come away with a win.

Curry, Wiggins, and Klay Thompson all had double digits and off the bench Jonathan Kuminga had a great game with 15 points in 19 minutes. He continues to improve and is showing a lot of promise,

The Warriors continue their road trip taking on the Chicago Bulls Friday night. Tipoff is schedule for 4:30.