Category: Golden State Warriors

Nuggets come back to beat Warriors with Jokic buzzer beater in devastating loss 130-127

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The Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokioc (15) hits a three point game winning shot over the Golden State Warriors Kevon Looney (5) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Jan 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024

Chase Center, San Francisco, California

Denver Nuggets 130 (25-11)

Golden State Warriors 127 (16-18)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Denver Nuggets came back late to beat the Warriors on a buzzer beater by Nikola Jokic, who led the way with 34 points, as Golden State fell, 130-127, to suffer their fourth loss in their last five games.

The Warriors snapped their three-game losing streak with a win over the Orlando Magic in San Francisco on Tuesday night, and they were looking to build off of that tonight. The Nuggets, meanwhile, had come in winning 10 of their last 12 games. It was a rematch of a neck-and-neck matchup between the two teams on Christmas in Denver that saw the Nuggets beat the Warriors, 120-114.

The Warriors got off to a quick start in Thursday night’s match, as they won the opening tip, and got on the board on a dunk by Jonathan Kuminga. The Nuggets quickly responded with a jumper by Kentavious Caldwell-Pope to get on the board, but the Warriors pounced, and eventually opened up a 21-11 lead just under five minutes into the game.

The Warriors led it 27-18 with 5:33 to go in the first quarter, but Jokic made a pair of layups to cut the score to cut the Warriors’ lead to 27-22, and that was the start of 16-6 run for the Nuggets, which took them to a 34-33 lead at the end of the first quarter.

The Nuggets kept that momentum into the second quarter, as they held a small lead over the first four minutes. Klay Thompson hit a three-ball to put the Warriors back ahead at 44-42, but the Nuggets responded with a three by Michael Porter Jr., as the teams seesawed their way through the next several minutes. The Nuggets then pulled away a bit, and went into the half with a 70-63 lead.

Jokic started the third quarter with a three-ball to extend Denver’s lead to 73-63, but the Warriors slowly chipped away at that lead, as they tied it at 84-84 with six minutes to go in the third quarter, as Kuminga hit a jumper, and hit the free throw after being fouled on the play.

The Nuggets quickly retook the lead on a pair of free throws by Jokic, but the Warriors continued their onslaught, as they outscored the Nuggets in the third quarter, 44-24, to go into the fourth quarter up 107-94.

Andrew Wiggins hit a three to start the fourth, and put Golden State up 110-94. The Warriors would maintain that steady lead throughout the first half of the fourth quarter, as they led it 123-105 with just 6:51 remaining, following a jumper by Wiggins.

However, the Nuggets suddenly started coming back. Jokic hit a hook shot, and Gordan hit a pair of free throws, as well as a three ball to cut the deficit to 123-112 with 5:14 to go. Gordon then tipped one, and made a pair of free throws, followed by a pair of free throws by Jokic to suddenly make it 123-118 with 3:23 to go.

Stephen Curry was fouled, and made two from the line to give the Warriors a brief reprieve, as they extended their lead to 125-118. Gordon then hit another pair of free throws for the Nuggets, and the Golden State responded with a layup by Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Peyton Watson hit a three Jokic alley-ooped to Gordan, who dunked it, and the Nuggets had remarkably made it just a two-point game at 127-125 with just 1:08 remaining. Jokic then hit a jumper to tie it with 26 seconds to go.

Curry had the ball for the Warriors, and he slow-walked it, as he wanted to run the clock down to prevent the Nuggets from winning it in regulation. However, a pass from Curry was stolen by Jamal Murray with four seconds remaining. 

Timeout was called, and then when the ball was passed in to Jokic, he shot one from almost halfcourt that he certainly didn’t expect to go in, but it hit off the backboard and in to deal the Warriors a devastating 130-127 loss right at the buzzer.

Jokic was mobbed by his teammates, as well as his head coach, Michael Malone. The camera then panned to Stephen Curry, who chewed away at his mouthguard in utter astonishment. Curry scored 30 points tonight, and even with that performance the Warriors still could not hold on.

The Warriors have now lost four of their last five, as they fall to 16-18, and they have also fallen a half-game back of the Los Angeles Lakers for the 10th seed in the Western Conference.

Golden State will be right back at it Friday night, as they will welcome the Detroit Pistons to Chase Center for a 7 p.m. tip.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Curry’s scoring once again saves Warriors; Payton out with hamstring injury; plus more news

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Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry takes a three point shot as he’s fouled by the Orlando Magic guard Jalen Suggs (4) in the first half at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Jan 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Stephen Curry led the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday night with 36 points in the Warriors victory over the Orlando Magic 121-115 it was a win that snapped Golden State’s three game losing streak.

#2 Jerry, Curry was instrumental scoring two three pointers and assisted two other baskets in the third quarter that help the Warriors take the lead which the Orlando Magic was able to build in the second quarter.

#3 Curry’s offensive show continued with the last 8:33 left in the game which help put the Warriors up 101-97. Curry hit a step back three pointer that got the Warriors up 104-97.

#4 Jerry, with the win the Warriors moved up to .500 at 9-9. Without Draymond Green in the line up in the last ten days. Green has not been contact with the team. There has been no date when he would return although it was mentioned that he could be back during the first week in January. “We’ve been giving him his space, he’s been giving us ours,” said head coach Steve Kerr.

#5 Jerry, Gary Payton got a hamstring injury in the third quarter and didn’t get back in the game. Payton had missed four to five weeks. Payton according to Kerr had worked hard to get back in the line up and said with the hamstring this impacts the line up and Kerr said he has no idea when Payton will get back.

Join Jerry for the Warriors podcasts each Thursday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Warriors podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors hold on to down Magic 121-115; Golden State ends 3 game skid

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) hits a three point shot against the Orlando Magic at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Jan 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors (16-17) had to work extra hard to beat the Orlando Magic (19-14) Tuesday night at the Chase Center. The Magic, with the best record in the Southeast Division, 19-13, had rebuilt the team via the draft.

The Magic had four players over six feet ten inches tall. Last year’s Rookie of the Year, Paolo Banchero, is a force to be reckoned with. The Warriors assigned Klay Thompson to guard him Tuesday night. It wasn’t easy, but Thompson did the job even though Banchero scored 27 points.

The Warriors had to find a way to stop Moritz and Franz Wagner the young men from Berlin, Germany, were both six-feet ten. The center, Bitadze, measured six feet eleven inches. The Warriors’ tallest players were Kevon Looney and Trayce Jackson-Davis, who were six feet nine inches tall. 

The Warriors had lost three in a row and knew beating the young, tall, and talented Magic squad would be a struggle. The game was a nip-and-tuck affair until late in the fourth quarter. The Magic had an early nine-point lead in. the first quarter.

The Warriors got their game going to finish the first quarter with a two-point advantage, 30-28. The Warrior’s biggest lead in the second quarter was 47-42. The Magic kept coming back. They made a three at the end of the first half to tie the game, 55-55.

Orlando’s big men outrebounded the Warriors 33-25. The Magic had 13 offensive rebounds to help keep them in the game. The Warriors had a rough first half at the free-throw line. The Magic, not a good free-throwing team, made thirteen free throws. The Warriors made seven in 14 threes. 

Stephen Curry and Thompson propelled the Warriors to a six-point lead 87-81 in the third quarter. Curry started to connect from three-point land. Thompson started to make buckets. The one sad note was Gary Payton II appeared to suffer a leg injury. Payton went to the locker room and did not return.

The Magic erased the six-point lead to start the fourth quarter. Thompson, Curry, and Jonathan Kuminga paced the offense for Golden State. Moritz and Franz Wagner made shots to keep the Magic in the game. Curry made a deuce and a trey to give the Warriors the lead, 104-97. Thompson and two buckets by Kunimga had the Warriors leading, 110-101. The Warriors’ defense did the job, and the Warriors were able to win the game 121-115.

Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors snapped a three-game losing streak, and improved to 16-17 for the season. The Magic dropped to 19-14.

All five of the Warrior starters were in double figures. Curry led the team with 36 points and made four threes. Kuminga had 19 points, six rebounds, and four assists. Thompson had 15 points. Thompson made three threes. Chris Paul had 12 points, and he also made three threes. Jackson-Davis, Andrew Wiggins, and Brandin Podzienski each had ten. Wiggins was once again excellent on defense for the Warriors.

Banchero paced the Magic with 27 points, 12 boards, and six assists. Franz Wagner had 25. Bitadze had 13, Moritz Wagner had 12, and Jalen Suggs had ten.

The Warriors cut down on fouls in the second half. The Magic made just six free throws. Turnovers were not an issue for Golden State Tuesday night. The Warriors did a good job, as they committed just 12 turnovers.

The Warriors meet the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets on Thursday night at the Chase Center. The Warriors will be looking to avenge the loss to the Nuggets on Christmas day in Denver. The game will start at 7 pm.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors looking to snap 3 game skid Tuesday against Magic at Chase

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The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes a shot against the Dallas Mavericks guard Josh Green (8) in first half action at Chase Center in San Francisco Sat Dec 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Dallas Mavericks handed Golden State their third straight loss Saturday 132-122. The Mavericks Luka Doncic lead with 39 points and the Warriors just couldn’t shut him down.

#2 Doncic also had ten assists and eight rebounds he was carrying a lot of the weight for the Mavericks that got them the ten point win.

#3 The Warriors Stephen Curry who had 18 points in the previous game against the Miami Heat led the Warriors in scoring on Saturday against the Mavericks with 25 and had seven assists.

#4 The Warriors Chris Paul 24 points it was his most this season and with that effort became the 37th player in NBA history to surpass the 22,000 point mark.

#5 The Warriors take a three game loss streak into Tuesday night’s game at the Chase Center they’ll host the Orlando Magic. The Magic are holding their own this season fourth in the Eastern Conference and have won five of their last 11 games. The defense has been a concern for Golden State do you see this being a close game on Tuesday?

Join Barbara for the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Fall To Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks 132-122

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The Dallas Mavericks Luca Doncic (77) takes a jump shot against the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Dec 30, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Luca Doncic of the Dallas Mavericks (19-14) scored 39 points and eight rebounds en-route to a win over the Golden State Warriors (15-17) 132-122. Golden State trailed from the beginning and never caught up. Again Warrior guard Stephen Curry got a slow start coming away with yet another disappointing first half. 

Teams are constantly double teaming Curry and the rest of the roster has to step up and they did not. Chris Paul, starting tonight, had a great game scoring 24 points. Klay Thompson continues to struggle taking the “Splash Brothers” out of the equation. Tonight he finished with three points.

Saturday night Chase Center was rocking as the Warriors took on the Mavericks. It was a huge challenge for the Warriors in this game containing Doncic. Double teaming him was the order of the day for Golden State. He had some great support in Dante Exum and Dereck Lively II and off the bench Josh Green is always a threat.

 The Warriors starting roster looked a bit different with the dependable Chris Paul and the red-hot Trayce Jackson-Davis starting tonight. The Warriors couldn’t keep Doncic under wraps that who led Dallas with 39 points towards their victory.

Game recap: The Mavericks took a 34-26 lead to finish the first quarter. Dallas is an outstanding road team and presents all sorts of problems for home teams. The Mavericks would go on to win the second quarter 29-28 in a closely contested quarter. At the half, Dallas held a 63-54 lead. The Warriors continued to hang around in this game and they were hitting nearly half of their points in the paint but just couldn’t get enough going to take the lead. 

Dallas edged the Warriors as the third quarter came to an end 38-35, still leading 101-89. This game would come down to the fourth quarter and Golden State needed some stops and getting some support for Curry could decide this game. 

The clock was running down and the Warriors were fighting to take the lead trailing 125-119 with 1:31 left in the game. Thompson did not make any impact in this game finishing with three points and two rebounds. As the clock wound down, there would be no run for Golden State, and no win losing this game 132-122. Golden State had their eighth home loss and their third loss in a row.

Every starter with the exception of Thompson scored in double digits. Curry had the team high with 25 points and Paul who started tonight had a terrific game with 24 points. Jackson-Davis finished with 17 points and Jonathan Kuminga also had a nice game with 16 points and was one of three players with nine rebounds. 

Off the bench both Dario Saric and Brandin Podziemski both had nine rebounds also. Golden State did out-rebound the Mavericks.  The Warriors only had 11 turnovers so ball protection was very good. The change in the starting roster was designed to give the team a defensive boost but it did not materialize in this game. 

The Warriors just could not handle Doncic who finished with 39 points and 10 rebounds. Three bench players finished with double digits for Dallas. Josh Green had 18 points, Tim Hardaway Jr. had 16 and Grant Williams finished with 10 points so some nice work from the Dallas bench.

The Warriors will continue their home-stand, their longest of the season, next Tuesday. They will be looking to get back on the winning track in 2024 as they take on the Orlando Magic with tipoff scheduled for 7:00 PM.

 

Early Turnovers and Poor Offense Factor in Warrior’s Loss to Heat 114-102; Golden State takes second loss in a row

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The Miami Heat’s guard Tyler Herro (14) goes up for a shot against the Golden State Warriors forward Jonathan Kuminga (00) at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Dec 28, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Despite eight Golden State Warrior (15-16) players scoring in double digits it was not enough to get past the Miami Heat (19-12). Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson each had 13 points, a low for both of them. The Heat dominated in the second half shooting at 48% to the Warriors 42%. The final was 114-102. The Warriors eight game home winning streak had come to an end.

Thursday night the Warriors took on the Heat at Chase Center. The Heat are playing great basketball getting past another red-hot team, Philadelphia, 119-113 on Monday. They got some great work from Jaime Jaquez Jr. who scored the team high with 31 points. Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro both had terrific game as well. 

The Warriors fell short against the Denver Nuggets in a close contest on Christmas Day 120-114. The Warriors have been fighting to work their way into the top eight in the Western Conference but it has been a tough go. They are currently in a tie for tenth place in an extremely tight conference where 7 1/2 games separate first through eleventh. Golden State has some work to do.

Game recap: The Heat got a quick start and established an eight point lead before the Warriors went on a nice run in the first quarter and after the first 12 minutes of play Golden State led 25-22. 

The Warriors only had two turnovers in the opening quarter but it got ugly in the second quarter when they had seven turnovers. The Heat took their largest lead of the game at the three minute mark 54-40. The Warriors fought back in the quarter and cut the Miami lead in half trailing 58-51 at the half. The Warriors had some work to do in the second half of this game. 

The Warriors had to do a better job of taking care of the ball in the second half. The Heat finished the half with a single turnover giving them a definite edge. Curry was the only Warrior in double digits with 10 points. 

Adebayo and Herro both had double digits for the Heat at halftime. The Warriors had to try to stay out of foul trouble already committing nine fouls in the first half. The Heat had done a great job protecting the ball and forcing turnovers would be a real challenge for the Warriors.

Golden State had outshot the Heat, they had more three’s than the Heat and the had out-rebounded Miami. It was those pesky turnovers that was making things tough for the Warriors.

After being down fourteen, the Warriors were getting close in the third quarter but just were not able to take the lead. They had shut down the turnovers through the first four minutes of play in the third but let the Heat begin to extend their lead and at 8:20 Miami led 69-61.

 The Warriors chipped away at the Heat lead but Miami always answered. Just as the Warriors would make some headway the Heat came up with some big plays making the Warriors pay every time. Despite some excellent Golden State defense, the Heat came up with some great offense taking a 12 point lead 82-70 with four minutes left in the quarter.

There was not much going in for the Warriors missing a lot of shots. Offensively Golden State had gone ice cold. When the third quarter came to an end the Heat were shooting 52 % to the Warriors 41%. Miami had their largest lead of the game after three 91-76. Golden State had protected the ball well in the quarter with only one turnover.

It was Miami that had all the moves to start the fourth quarter leading 95-76 and Golden State had to get some offense going. Miami just opposed their will on the Warriors building on their lead and just like that had a 20 point lead 100-80 at 8:02. 

It had been all Heat in the second half and the clock was affording the Warriors no favors with 5:34 left in the game. The Warriors had spurts of offense but nothing consistent and Golden State had three minutes left in the game trailing by the score of 107-93.

It was a slow night for Curry and Thompson both of them struggling. The Heat doubled and even tripled Curry all night. It was an off night all the way around for the Warriors. Miami controlled the pace and tempo of the game. 

Eight Golden State players finished with double digits but it was not enough to get past the Heat who knocked the Warriors off rhythm all night. Four Warrior bench players scored in double digits with Andrew Wiggins and Moses Moody finishing with 11 apiece.

The Warriors will face another challenge Saturday night when they take on the Dallas Mavericks at Chase. Golden State will be looking to get back on rhythm as they take on the sixth place Mavericks. Curry and Thompson will be looking for some improved energy in this game.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

 

   

Golden State Warriors podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Warriors host Heat tonight; Miami on 3 game win streak can challenge Golden State

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The Miami Heat defense guard Tyler Herro (14) and forward Caleb Martin (16) defend against the Philadelphia 76ers guard Tyrese Maxey (0) in the first half on Mon Dec 25, 2023 in Miami. The Heat who are on a three game win streak take on the Golden State Warriors Thu Dec 28, 2023 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Jerry F

#1 There was no stopping Nikola Jokic on Christmas night Monday he went 18 for 18 on the free throw line and that actually made the difference in the Denver Nuggets (22-10) 120-114 win over the Golden State Warriors (15-15) at the Ball Center in Denver.

#2 The Nuggets Jamal Murray also poured it on with a team leading 28 points followed by Jokic who finished with 26 points.

#3 The loss also ended the Warriors five game winning streak. The Warriors have gone through this winning streak looking like they’ve found their traction until you meet a team like the Nuggets who have a strong offense like Jokic, Murray and Michael Porter Jr (19 pts).

#4 For the Warriors Andrew Wiggins led with 22 points followed by Stephen Curry with 18. In past games Curry has had to do all the heavy lifting to help the Warriors get over the goal line to win games but the Nuggets defense pretty much kept Curry under control.

#5 The Warriors tip off against the Miami Heat at the Chase Center at 7:00pm PT. The Heat have won three in row and have won seven of their last ten. The Heat are fourth in the Eastern Conference and could give the Warriors fits tonight. Jerry what’s your take on tonight’s thriller at Golden State.

Join Jerry Feitelberg for the Warriors podcasts Thursdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Nuggets have sound second half to defeat Warriors 120-114 at Ball Arena on Christmas day

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The Golden State Warriors Kevon Looney (left) has his hands full trying to defend against the Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during the first half at the Ball Center in Denver on Mon Dec 25, 2023 (AP news photo)

On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 The five game win streak the Golden State Warriors (15-15) brought into Ball Arena in Denver came to an end with a 120-114 ending to the Denver Nuggets (21-10). What were some of Golden State’s mistakes in this one?

#2 Nuggets always a challenge their the defending NBA Champions and they have two of the toughest offensive players in Jamal Murray (28 pts) and Nikola Jokic (26 pts).

#3 An indication of how things were when the Nuggets took a 6-0 lead to start the game and the Warriors would come away with a 54-53 half time lead.

#4 It wasn’t enough the Nuggets caught up in the second half and the Warriors effort from Andrew Wiggins (22 pts) and Stephen Curry (18 pts) was not enough in the six point loss.

#5 The Warriors aim to get back on track when they tip off against the Miami Heat (17-12) who defeated the Atlanta Hawks 122-114 on Friday. Tell us how you see the Heat and Warriors battle Thu Dec 28th for a 7:00pm PT tip off at the Chase Center.

Barbara Mason does the Warriors podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Nuggets snap Warriors’ winning streak 120-114 in thriller; Denver’s Murray leads with 38 pts

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The Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives past Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) in the first half at the Ball Center on Christmas Day Mon Dec 25, 2023 (AP News photo)

Monday, Dec. 25, 2023

Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado

Golden State Warriors 114 (15-15)

Denver Nuggets 120 (22-10)

By Stephen Ruderman

The Denver Nuggets snapped the Warriors’ five-game winning streak, as they beat Golden State in a Christmas nailbiter, 120-114 at the Ball Center in Denver.

The Warriors carried their five-game winning streak to Denver to take on the second-seed and defending-champion Nuggets.

The Nuggets got off to an early 6-0 lead thanks to a dunk by Aaron Gordan, and a pair of jumpers by Jamal Murray. The Warriors then got on the board on a three-ball by Klay Thompson, and they made it 6-5 after Brandin Podziemski hit a pair of free throws.

It was 8-7 Nuggets, and then Denver started to pull away. Michael Porter Jr. hit a pair of threes, and that started a 16-7 run for the Nuggets, who led it 24-14 with 3:32 left in the first quarter. 

The Warriors then got back into it with a 12-5 run to close the deficit to 29-26 at the end of the quarter.

Dario Saric hooked one in to start the second quarter, but Porter hit a three and a jumper to extend Denver’s lead back to six at 34-28. Podziemski and Chris Paul then hit threes to tie it up. 

Peyton Watson hit a three ball to put the Nuggets back ahead, but the Warriors then scored nine unanswered points to take their first lead of the game, as they led it 43-37. The Nuggets got right back in it, and the two teams traded points throughout the remainder of the quarter, which ended with the Warriors up 54-53 going into the half.

The game remained a seesaw battle over the first half of the third quarter. The Nuggets started to pull away in the latter half, as they opened up an 85-77 lead with 3:31 remaining. 

However, the Warriors got right back in it towards the end of the quarter. Podziemski alley-ooped to Trayce Jackson-Davis, and Chris Paul hit a three to close it to 85-82. Christian Braun hit a three for Denver to make it 88-82; but Podziemski hit a three, and Saric hit a pair of free throws to make it 88-87.

The two teams traded more points, and the Nuggets went into the fourth up 92-89. The Warriors started the fourth with six unanswered points, as Andrew Wiggins and Saric each laid one in, and Wiggins was fouled and hit a pair of free throws to put Golden State back ahead at 95-92.

The teams traded leads throughout the fourth quarter, as Wiggins hit a hook shot to give the Warriors a 103-102 lead with 5:38 remaining. The Nuggets retook a 106-103 lead, and then Steph Curry hit a reverse layup to make it 106-105.

The Nuggets then started to pull away for good, as they went on an 8-2 run to open their lead back up to 114-107. Denver was then able to maintain a steady lead the rest of the way, and they held on to win, 120-114.

For the Warriors, this snaps their five-game winning streak, as they fall back to .500 at 15-15. They will return home to play the Miami Heat on Thursday night at Chase Center for a 7:00 tipoff.

Warriors Reserves Close Out Game Against Portland 126-106

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Portland Trail Blazers center Deandrye Ayton (center) battles with Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Trayce Jackson-Davis (right) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Dec 23, 2023 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (15-14) beat the Portland Trail Blazers (7-21) Saturday night 126-106 at Chase Center in San Francisco. Once again the reserves closed out this game. Guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson had terrific showings as they won their fifth game in a row and their eighth straight home game.

After beating the Washington Wizards Friday night, the Warriors were back at work Saturday night taking on the Blazers and picked up their fifth win in a row. The Warriors are still without Andrew Wiggins missing his second game. The Trail Blazers are, much like the Wizards, trying to figure the season out struggling along the way. 

The game Saturday night was similar to the Warriors start Friday night. It was not at all what they wanted to see and despite shooting at 57 % they trailed 28-19 with under two minutes left in the first quarter. 

They had seemed to have resolved the turnover problem lately but in this game they already had nine in the first 12 minutes. Portland led after one quarter 30-23 and the Warriors were lucky that the deficit was not a whole lot worse. 

It was a terrible start for Golden State with the turnovers. It was the 15 rebounds that saved them from being even further behind the eight ball. They needed to pick it up on both ends of the ball in the second quarter.

Golden State went on a 13-3 run and this was a one point game 34-33 in favor of the Warriors. They had turned this game in a completely different direction. After being 11 down, the Warriors led 42-39 with under five minutes left in the half. 

This game had taken a 20 point swing in the closing minutes of the second quarter. They took a 57-46 lead going into the locker room after a brilliant quarter with the reserves coming up big. They did clean up the turnovers committing only four with a running total of 13. 

The Warriors took their largest lead of the game mid-way through the third quarter as the Splash Brothers really took charge 77-63. At 5:20 Curry and Thompson each had scored 23 points. Golden State only had two turnovers in the third quarter both of them coming because of eight second violations. The Warriors were looking for their eighth straight home win closing out the quarter leading 89-77.

Two minutes into the final quarter the Warriors had a 19 point lead. Portland continued to threaten throughout the fourth quarter but Golden State answered every time. 

The Trail Blazers could not keep up with the Warriors as Golden State matched them point for point and then some. The reserves once again closed out this game as the starters took the bench for the remainder of the game. Portland has some really scrappy young players but they came up short against the experience and skill of the Warriors. 

Thompson had the high for the Warriors with 28 points closely followed by Curry with 27. Bradin Podziemski finished with 15 points and bench player Trayce Jackson-Davis continues to impress with 13 points and five rebounds. 

They will need a lot of fire power as they travel to Denver on Christmas Day taking on the Nuggets. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 11:30 AM.