Category: Golden State Warriors

Thunder roll past Warriors in game 3

Published on by Michael MartinezLeave a comment

by Michael Martinez

After the Warriors 27 point blow out win in game 2, the momentum seemed to be in there in Golden State’s favor.

But the Oklahoma City Thunder made it seem like that game was in the very far past.

While the first quarter was close, OKC broke things open in the second quarter thanks  to Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. The big key for the Thunder in the game was that they were able to get to the free throw line and get easy points. In the second quarter alone, the Thunder went 17 of 18 from the charity stripe.

As everything went right for the Thunder, everything went abysmal for the Warriors who shot 22.6% from the field in the second quarter. Golden State also only made two three pointers in the quarter.

At the half, the Thunder led 72-45 and the third quarter was no different. Golden State showed a little more offensive life, but were still outscored by their opponent. The Thunder took their biggest lead in the game in the third quarter, going up by 41 points at one point in the game.

Golden State scored more than OKC in the fourth quarter, but it was a very lost cause. Oklahoma City blew out the defending world champs in dominate fashion. Durant and Westbrook both had huge games and the Thunder shot 50% from the field for the game.

Westbrook neared a triple double with 30 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds. Durant scored a game high 33 points and eight assists while going 10-15 from the field. The two All Stars played really well and collectively as a whole the Thunder played well.

Steph Curry had a team high for the Warriors with 24 points and Klay Thompson added 18. The Warriors just looked flat and were completely outplayed.

Draymond Green was not a factor in the game at all, which played a role in why the Warriors did poorly. Green also picked up a flagrant one foul after kicking Steven Adams in the groin, which he claims was inadvertent.

Whether it was or not, my guess is that Green will not pick up a suspension for the foul. In the end, the Thunder defeated Golden State, 133-105. OKC’s blowout victory was a point more than the Warriors game two win. After everybody thought the Warriors would have the momentum, Oklahoma City struck right back.

Can Durant and Westbrook continue their incredible play? With the Warriors down two games to one in the series, they will look to try to even the series on Tuesday at 6 p.m. on TNT.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Anytime the Warriors lose they never fail to get fired up for next game

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AFP photo: Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry battles for the ball with the Cleveland Cavaliers LeBron James in Finals action on June 5, 2015 in game one at Oracle Arena in Oakland

On the Warriors podcast with David the Warriors who lost game one by six 108-102 on Monday night took the loss personally and they came back with a 118-91 and won with a vengeance led by the help of Stephen Curry who scored 15 points in two minutes to help electrify the club. After that loss no matter who the Warriors played they were going to crush them they take these loses personally.

You might remember last season with the Cleveland Cavaliers the W’s played in Cleveland a game after the Warriors got mauled by the Detroit Pistons and whatever the deal is when the Warriors lose a game they tend to regroup and refocus and they just come out hard and strong and they just seemed to really have a good game. It wasn’t really surprising that they were able to pull off a win in game two of this round.

David Zizmor does the Warriors podcasts each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

Curry leads the Warriors to a 118-91 win over OKC in game 2

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
NBA: Playoffs-Oklahoma City Thunder at Golden State Warriors
Photo Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Basketball is a game of runs. The key run in game two of the NBA Western Conference Finals came in the third quarter when Golden State went on a 15-2 run. All 15 Warriors points were scored by Stephen Curry.

The Warriors showed why they have not lost back-to-back games in 2015-16 on Wednesday night. They played solid defense that set up their offense to do what few teams in the history of the NBA have been able to do as they won game two 118-91. The series is now tied at 1-1.

The Thunder were able to keep the game close and even took the lead late in the second quarter. The Warriors then ran off eight unanswered points and took 57-49 lead into the locker room at the half.

The third quarter is where the Warriors put the game away. Golden State outscored the Thunder 31-17 in the quarter led by Curry’s 17 points. Durant scored four points and Westbrook had just two points for OKC. Down 88-68 after three quarters, the Thunder did not give up but could not overcome the deficit in the final quarter.

Golden State

The Warriors shot 50.6-percent (43-for-85) for the game. They went 13-for-28 (46.4-percent) from beyond the 3-point arc. Golden State did struggle from the free throw line converting just 19-of-28 (67.9-percent) attempts.

Golden State out-rebounded Oklahoma City 45-36. The Warriors recorded 26 assists and turned the ball over just 12 times. The 12 turnovers resulted in just 12 points for the Thunder.

Stephen Curry was the Warriors leading scoring putting up 28 points in just 29-minutes on the floor. Curry was 5-for-8 from 3-point land and a perfect 5-for-5 from the charity stripe.

Klay Thompson put up 15 points in the game. He did struggle shooting going just 5-for-17 from the field for the game.

Draymond Green scored 10 points, grabbed eight rebounds, dished out seven assists, blocked two shots and had one steal for the Warriors.

Andre Iguodala (14), Festus Ezeli (12), Marreese Speights (13) and Harrison Barnes (11) all scored in double figures for Golden State.

The Warriors did get a big scare in the first quarter when Stephen Curry went flying into the crowd and no one tried to break his fall. Curry developed a large knot on his right elbow which obviously did not affect his shooting later in the game.

Oklahoma City

The Thunder shot 44.9-percent (35-for-78) from the floor for the game. They were just 7-for-23 (30.4-percent) from behind the 3-point line. The Thunder did go 14-for-19 (73.7-percent) from the free throw line but they only went to the line 19 times.

OKC had 22 assists but turned the ball over 16 times. Those 16 turnovers resulted in 23 Golden State points.

The Thunder had just two players score in double figures.

Kevin Durant led all scorers with 29 points. Durant shot 11-for-18 from the floor but was just 2-for-4 from downtown.

Russell Westbrook put up 16 points for the Thunder on Wednesday night. Westbrook shot 5-for-14 overall and was just 1-for-5 from long distance. He was a perfect 5-for-5 at the free throw line.

What they said after the game

Stephen Curry on what got him going in the third quarter:

“The ball movement was a lot better tonight. There were certain situations on offense where we took advantage of some iso possessions. We got the ball movement side to side, set great screens for each other. We found easier shots. Thankfully they went down. That’s the way we’ve got to play going forward.”

Up next

The teams travel to Oklahoma City for game three on Sunday. Tip-off will be at 5:00 PDT.

 

The Thunder stuns the Dubs in Game One; Adams apologizes for calling Warriors Guards “quick little monkeys”

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

by Jerry Feitelberg

photo espn.com: OKC Thunder’s Steven Adams stops for a post game interview following the Thunders’ defeat of Golden State at Oracle Arena

In a post game interview following the victory over the Golden State Warriors the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Steven Adams who is from New Zealand said that the Warrior guards are “quick little monkeys” when word of this spread and there was some complaint to outrage. Adams quickly apologized saying “It was a poor choice of words mate, I wasn’t thinking straight. I didn’t know it was going to offend anyone but I’m truly sorry. It was a poor choice of words. I was trying to describe how difficult it was chasing those guys around.” said Adams

The OKC Thunder stunned the Golden State Warriors 108-102 in Game One of the Western Conference Finals. The Dubs had a fourteen-point lead in the third quarter, but OKC shut down the Dubs offense to win. The Warriors have to win Game Two as game three and fours will be played in Oklahoma City. As it stands now, the Thunder owns home court advantage even if the Dubs win game two.

The Warriors won the first half. They were able to contain Russell Westbrook to three points for the first twenty-nine minutes of the game. The Dubs led 27-21 after the first quarter and 60-47. The taller Thunder erased the lead in the third quarter. The Thunder, the best rebounding team in the NBA, used their big men to control the boards. They also shut down the Warrior offense in the fourth quarter by holding them to just fourteen points. The Thunder outscored the Warriors 61-42 in the second half.

The story of the game can be shown in the production of the big men. The Thunder’s centers, Steve Adams, and Enes Kanter combined to score 24 points and had 18 rebounds. Andrew Bogut, Festus Ezeli, and Mo Speights combined for four points and six rebounds. Bogut did not score at all. He was questionable before the game as he had a groin injury. Hopefully, he will be at full strength Wednesday night.

Steph scored twenty-six. Klay added twenty-five and Draymond had twenty-three. The Thunder’s big three were Kevin Durant with twenty-six, Russell Westbrook had twenty-seven and Steve Adams knocked down sixteen.

Game two of the series will be Wednesday night at the Oracle Arena at 6 PM PT. There is no question that the game is a MUST win for Golden State.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: For W’s round three there’s Thunder in the house

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photo by pixgood.com: Oklahoma City Thunder’s Kevin Durant

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor the San Antonio Spurs (eliminated) and the Oklahoma City Thunder were always considered the two most viable teams to face the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals. Now the Thunder and the Warriors in the Western Conference Finals the two best teams will have to face each other. In the second round the Warriors had to play the Portland Trailblazers and won in five games.

With the Thunder and Spurs those two teams took it to the limit going seven games the Thunder in that series kind of exposed the Spurs weaknesses on that Spurs roster. Part of it is that the Thunder have Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant who are two of the best six players in the NBA.

David takes you through the latest with the updates in previewing the third round Western Conference Finals Series between Golden State and OKC listen below at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Advance to Conference Finals, Oust Blazers with 125-121 Win

Published on by Matthew HarringtonLeave a comment

By Matthew T.F. Harrington

Reuters photo: Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry holding the ball leading club to victory over the Portland Trailblazers

The Golden State Warriors kept their end of the bargain in setting up the primetime Western Conference Finals, moving past the Portland Trailblazers in a 4-1 series win. Golden State rallied from a halftime deficit to oust the Blazers from the playoffs with a 125-121 win at Oracle Arena Wednesday night. They now await the winner of the Oklahoma City-San Antonio series, with most pundits expecting a heavyweight clash between the reigning champions and Gregg Popovich’s Spurs.

The Splash Brothers led the Warriors charge highlighted by Klay Thompson’s team-best 33 points. In his second game back from injury, the unanimous Most Valuable Player Stephen Curry chipped in 29. Oakland’s own Damian Lillard did his best to stave off elimination, scoring 28 points for Portland. His frontcourt partner C.J. McCollum added 27.

The Warriors trailed by double-digits late into the 2nd quarter, but managed to keep the Portland lead to 5 points down 63-58 at the half. Golden State outscored Portland 67-58 in the second half for the victory and another dominant series win.

All is not rosey for the Warriors though. Andrew Bogut came out of the game with an adductor injury. The Aussie center’s injury history looms as a concern as the Warriors head to the next round. Draymond Green also briefly exited the game with an injury, but returned to finish out the contest. He had 11 rebounds and 13 points for the Warriors.

For now, the Warriors will play the waiting game as they see who prevails in the other conference semifinal. The Spurs trail the Thunder 3-2, with game 6 set for Thursday night in Oklahoma City.

Stephen Curry wins MVP with unanimous vote

Published on by Eric HeLeave a comment

By: Eric He

photo credit billsinsider.com: Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry hold 2016 MVP Award on Wednesday

OAKLAND–In news that came as rather unsurprising, the Golden State Warriors’ Stephen Curry claimed the MVP award for the second consecutive year.

What was surprising this time around was that it was a unanimous choice — the first time it’s happened — with all 131 votes going toward Curry.

The 28-year-old averaged 30.1 points, 5.4 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game, outperforming his 2014-2015 MVP campaign. He also led the NBA in steals with 2.1 per game.

Curry’s star has risen precipitously in recent seasons, captivating the league with a blistering shooting arsenal and adding on to his game to become an all-around force. He helped lead the Warriors to a record-breaking 73-9 regular season and his return from injury bolstered the team to a series win over the Trail Blazers to advance to the Western Conference Finals.

Curry is just the third point guard to win the MVP award multiple times, joining Steve Nash and Magic Johnson. He is the first player in Warriors’ franchise history to win the award more than once.

Curry Drops 40 In Legendary Performance, Warriors Take 3-1 Lead.

Published on by swhelchLeave a comment

By Shawn Whelchel

AP photo: Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry who led the Warriors in scoring in game four over the Portland Trailblazers is jubilant to be back in the line up

For fans of the Golden State Warriors, watching star point guard Stephen Curry drop 40 points on an opponent is something that could happen on any given night. But last night’s performance from the unanimous MVP of the league carried with it the type of legendary ethos that put’s him in the conversation with the likes of Michael Jordan and other playoff legends.

Returning for the first time since spraining his MCL in Game 4 of the Houston series, Curry was at the forefront of a resurgent effort from the Golden State Warriors, as he would score an NBA-record 17 points in overtime to notch a 132-125 win, giving his squad a commanding 3-1 series lead.

Curry was only supposed to play sparingly, if that, in his first return to action. But a uncharacteristic ejection from guard Shaun Livingston thrust him back into the thick of it in the second half. Curry didn’t disappoint, going on to secure yet another personal record while stomping any notion of momentum from a scrappy Portland team in the series standings.

Golden State trailed for most of the game, taking their first lead late in the third quarter. The two team’s exchanged baskets in a close contest until a late Harrison Barnes triple forced overtime.

From there on, it was the Curry show, as the sharpshooter went to work all over the court to put his first mark on the series. After giving his team the lead with a layup with just over two minutes to go, Curry would come down the court to nail a three from the top of the key, pounding his chest while stating “I’m back” to the Portland crowd.

Portland would be unable to make up the difference, being sent to the fringe of elimination following the loss.

Damian Lillard played big for Portland again, scoring 36 points on 9-for-30 shooting, with five of his buckets coming from behind the arc. Nearly all Portland starters would end up in double-figures besides Maurice Harkless, who finished with 8 points.

The game was a scrappy showcase from both teams who seemed to refuse to quit. But it was yet another notch in Steph Curry’s legendary belt, and showed how dangerous a team the Warriors are on the court with their healthy MVP knocking down buckets.

Should Curry be fully recovered from his knee injury-and by the looks of things last night it appears he is- last night may have been a dagger in Portland’s season.

 

 

Portland take Game 3 thanks to Lillard’s 40 points

Published on by jhawkes51Leave a comment

By Joe Hawkes-Beamon
Sports Columnist

AP photo: Rip City Portland Trailblazers Damian Lillard scores 40 on the Golden State Warriors in game three in Portland on Saturday

PORTLAND, OR — So much for the Portland Trail Blazers wilting under pressure.

Damian Lillard poured in a career-high 40 points added 10 assists, igniting Portland to a 120-108 victory Saturday night in Game 3 of the their Western Conference semifinal series.

With the win, Portland becomes just the second team to beat Golden State twice this season while trimming the Warriors’ lead, 2-1 in their best-of-7 series.

“I was really happy about the way we played tonight,” Lillard, who shot 14-of-27 from the field, including 8-0f-13 on 3s, said postgame. “We were the more aggressive team down the stretch.”

The Trail Blazers led 58-46 at halftime, and even saw their lead balloon to as much as 2o points in the fourth quarter.

Al Farouq-Aminu added 23 points and 10 rebounds while starting the game shooting 7-of-7 before finishing 8-of-9 from the floor. Aminu was even deadly from behind the three-point line, knocking down 4-of-5 shots from behind the arc.

C.J. McCollum, who started off the game 1-of-7, finished the game with 22 points on 8-0f-18 shooting.

Draymond Green scored a career-high 37 points, including 8-of-12 on 3s (also a career-high for any game). Green drained five 3s en route to a 19 point third quarter, but took responsibility for Golden State’s loss.

“That team [Portland], they had doubt. I could tell they had doubt,” said Green. “And we didn’t take advantage of it…And that’s on me.”

Golden State’s defense looked erratic at best at times.

As a team, Portland shot the lights out the ball from deep, converting 17-of-30 on 3s. The Trail Blazers shot 46-percent from the floor (40-of-86).

But the heartbeat of the Warriors has already gone on record that Golden State will make the necessary adjustments to win Game 4.

“We’ll be better there [defensively],” Green added. “I’ll be better. We’ll win.”

Klay Thompson scored 18 of his 35 points in the first quarter. Thompson was blistering hot in the first quarter, making 7-of-12 shots, including 4-of-5 on 3s. It was the second time this series that Thompson scored 18 points in the opening period, accomplishing the feet in Game 1.

There is the possibility of Stephen Curry  suiting up for Game 4 on Monday in Portland. The MVP played two-on-two Saturday before Game 3 and participated in additional drills, but no word has been given regarding Curry’s availability.

Golden State could use Curry’s scoring, especially tonight.

Outside of the huge performances from Green and Thompson, and Leandro Barbosa’s 10 points off the bench, Golden State didn’t have any other players in double-figures.

Harrison Barnes (2-of-8) and Andre Iguodala (0-for-5) combined for 8 points, while Shaun Livingston finished with just 2 points.

 

 

 

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: It should be no surprise that Green and Thompson can run things while Curry is out

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photo by abc7news.com in San Francisco: Draymond Green at press conference

On the Warriors podcast with David Zizmor no one should be surprised that Draymond Green and Klay Thompson have done so well for Golden State while Stephen Curry is out with a leg injury. These players are both all stars and Thompson has been an all star for two seasons in a row. Green made his first appearance and he was certainly deserving last season with both of them making the all star team in the 2014-15 season just based on how Green played in the first half.

It’s a little weird that people are so surprised by how well their playing. These guys are all stars why should anyone be surprised? It’s one of those situations because Curry isn’t on the floor and the spotlight isn’t on him the spotlight has to fall on somebody and the fact of the matter is it’s been great basketball is emulating from Thompson and Green right now.

David Zizmor does the Warriors podcast each week right here at http://www.sportsradioservice.com