By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Sunday, April 24, 2016
AP photo: The Warriors Stephen Curry is assisted off the court after the first half with a right ankle sprain
Golden State’s Stephen Curry left Sunday’s NBA playoff game with yet another injury – this time it’s his right knee.
Depsite Curry having to leave the game late in the first half, the Warriors carried on and drubbed the Houston Rockets 121-94 in Houston, taking a 3-games-to-1 lead in the opening round best-of-seven.
The Associated Press reported that Curry, who missed two games with a sprained right ankle, sprained his right knee and did not play in the second half. Curry’s status for game five in Oakland is questionable. The Warriors will know more after Curry undergoes an MRI on Monday.
Even with one half of the Splash Brothers out of action, the Warriors kept the 3-pointers coming. Klay Thompson sank seven 3s – four of them in the third quarter – as Golden State sank a franchise playoff-record eight in the quarter and an NBA playoff record 21 for the afternoon.
The Warriors bagged 41 points in the third quarter to run away with the game. Thompson scored a game-high 23 points for the Warriors. Andre Iguodala added 22 points, his season high, and Draymond Green scored 18.
Dwight Howard led Houston with 19 points and 15 rebounds. James Harden was quiet by his standards, finishing with 18 points, 10 assists and seven steals.
Before leaving the game, Curry made a 3-pointer for the 42nd consecutive playoff game, two behind record-holder Reggie Miller. Curry, who struggled with his shooting before the knee injury, finished the game with six points.
By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, April 21, 2016
AP photo David J Phillips: The Houston Rockets James Harden takes the winning shot in game three at the Toyota Center in the first round of the playoffs vs. Golden State
James Harden came within two rebounds and one assist of getting a triple-double for the Houston Rockets on Thursday. He settled for a game-winning shot against Golden State instead.
Down by one point with 2.7 seconds to play, Harden hit a 10-foot jumper giving him 35 points on the night and a 97-96 victory over the Warriors in game three of their opening round NBA playoff best-of-seven series at Toyota Center in Houston.
The Warriors, playing without their injured MVP Stephen Curry, still lead the series 2-games-to-1. Game four is scheduled for Sunday in Houston.
Curry, out with an ankle injury suffered in game one, didn’t play because the Warriors didn’t want to risk re-injuring the ankle before it was fully healed. Coach Steve Kerr told the media Curry’s availability for Sunday’s game would be evaluated after two days of practice.
After Harden’s jumper put Houston ahead, the Warriors had one more possession, but Draymond Green lost the inbound pass off his foot and out of bounds as time ran out.
Marreese Speights scored 22 points off the bench to lead the Warriors, with Klay Thompson adding 17. Dwight Howard added 13 points,13 rebounds and two blocked shots for the Rockets, and Michael Beasley scored 12 points for the Rockets.
sfgate.com photo: Stephen Curry practicing Wednesday to see if his ankle was going to be ready or not for game three in Dallas
On the Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor the Warriors Stephen Curry said he was feeling better and then the questioned was asked whether or not Curry can play in Thursday night’s game three in Houston. The answer let’s not be so much of a hurry to put Curry back in the line up yet. After practice on Wednesday Curry said he still has some pain in the ankle. There was some big news on Tuesday that the MRIs Curry had didn’t reveal any problem.
There’s no stress fracture as some people speculated there’s no major issues its just that he’s got pain in his ankle. Either way Curry is still questionable for Thursday night in Houston. The Warriors are being super cautious with this. Curry could play but the way everybody is talking about it it’s going to be a game time decision.
sfgate.com photo: Golden State’s Klay Thompson goes for the high percentage points as Thompson help lead the team without injured Stephen Curry in game two on Monday night
Without the services of their injured MVP-Steph Curry-the Golden State Warriors banded together with a solid team effort that featured a cast of supporters stepping into the spotlight in order to take a commanding 2-0 series lead at Oracle on Monday.
The other half of the Splash Brothers tandem-Klay Thompson picked up the slack for his injured teammate, pouring in a game-leading 34 points in the second game of this playoff series, to secure a 115-109 win for the Golden State Warriors at Oracle Arena.
Showcasing the type of depth that has made Golden State a nightmare for teams all year long, a slew of other Warriors stepped up in Curry’s absence to offer the Rockets no reprieve from their ruthless manner of scoring. Andre Iguodala was just one of many who had done so, coming off the bench to score 18 points while shooting a lights-out 7-of-10 from the field. Shaun Livingston- who replaced the injured Curry with his 11th career playoff start- did his part by contributing 16 points on an even better 7-of-9 from range.
The Rockets main source of offense came from James Harden, whose knack for getting to the free-throw line helped to contribute to his 28 total points on the night. Harden finished with 15 attempts, knocking in 13 free points. Dwight Howard attempted just seven shots on the night, connecting with five, in an effort that looked-at times- lifeless.
It wasn’t easy for Golden State, however. With just under ten minutes to go, the Rockets’ Jason Terry made it a one possession game on a pair of free-throws. But the Warriors responded with an 11-1 run that would ultimately put the dagger in the heart of any comeback attempts from Houston.
The Rockets looked more lively than they did in their stale game one, but were met with an answer almost every time they made a push against Golden State. The team would bend in the fourth, but would show the resilience that helped to make them NBA Champions last year by not breaking.
It was a resilient effort and a display of depth for Golden State, who finished with four starters in double-digits, and 37 points from the bench. The win also gives Curry extra time to heal his ailing ankle, as the Warriors don’t take to the court until Thursday in Houston. With a commanding 2-0 lead, head coach Steve Kerr could decide to give Curry an even longer break and rest his star again.
The juggernaut that is the Golden State Warriors steamrollered the Houston Rockets 104-78 in game one of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs. The Warriors led the game wire-to-wire en route to the win.
The dominate win has been overshadowed by an injury to superstar Stephen Curry. Curry tweaked his right ankle late in the second quarter and had to be taken into the locker room have the ankle re-taped. Curry would return to start the third quarter but played only 2:47 in the period before having to return to the bench.
In his postgame media conference, Golden State head coach Steve Kerr told reporters that Curry would not have been available to return to the game if Houston would have made a comeback. Kerr went on to say that Curry is questionable for game two on Monday night. In NBA terms, questionable means there is only a 50 percent chance that Curry will play.
Curry was the Warriors leading scorer with 24 points in his limited playing time of 19-plus minutes. Not only would the Warriors miss Curry’s scoring punch but the sight of Curry on the bench could serve as real source of motivation for Houston who do not want to go home down 0-2 in the series.
The Warriors defense was as impressive as their offense. Golden State held the Rockets shooting to just 35.7 percent (30-for-84) from the field. Houston who lives by the creed of “score in the paint or shoot the three” shot just 27.3 percent (6-for-22) from long range.
The Golden State defense kept James Harden off the free throw for the entire game. Harden makes his living driving to the basket and forcing reach-in fouls for opportunities to score from the free throw line.
Kerr told reporters after the game that not reaching in on Harden was major point of emphasis for the Warriors defensive scheme. The plan worked to perfection.
The Golden State defense also caused the Rockets to be sloppy in guarding the basketball. Houston turned the ball over 24 times in the game. The Rockets had more turnovers than assists (16). A negative assists-to-turnover ratio makes it literally impossible to win a game in the NBA.
The Warriors held the Rockets to just eight second-chance points. For comparison, Golden State scored 25 points when give a second chance to score.
There will be much talk about the Warriors outscoring the Rockets by 26 points. The real discussion should be about the Warriors holding the Houston offense to just 78 points.
Warriors
Stephen Curry was the team’s leading scorer with 24 points. Curry went 5-for-7 from 3-point land. He also grabbed seven rebounds, had three steals and dished out two assists in his limited playing time.
As you might have guessed, Klay Thompson helped to fill the gap left by Curry having to leave the game. Thompson scored 16 points but had to take 14 shots to score those points. He was perfect from the free throw line going 6-for-6. Thompson finished with five rebounds, four assists and one steal.
Draymond Green had a double-double game scoring 12 points and recording 10 rebounds. Green led his team in playing time with 33:17 played.
Marreese Speights was the Warriors leading scorer off the bench with 12 points. He shot 5-for-11 from the field.
Andre Iguodala was real force on offense for Golden State coming off the bench to dish out a game-high seven assists.
Rockets
James Harden was the leading scorer for the Rockets with 17 points but he had to take 19 shots to score those points. He was just 3-for-5 from behind the 3-point line. Harden turned the ball over six times.
Dwight Howard was surprisingly a big factor in this game for the Rockets. Howard has experienced a less than stellar season for Houston. He put up a double-double in this game scoring 14 points and grabbing 11 rebounds for his team.
Patrick Beverley was also a surprising non-factor for Houston on Saturday. After a first quarter skirmish with Curry that resulted in off-setting technical fouls, Beverley picked up three personal fouls and was sent to the bench. He played just 5:10 in the second half after picking up his fourth foul. Beverley finished just two points.
What they said after the game
Steve Kerr evaluating how his team played
“…Very satisfied. I thought our defense was excellent. We didn’t reach. We made them earn every point and we did have the brief spell when Steph (Curry) went out where we sort of lost our focus, lost our poise but we quickly recovered, a lot of guys played but it was a good, solid victory.”
Klay Thompson on the intensity of the game
“It did (get chippy). You expect that in the playoffs.No team is going to lay down against us. I’m just happy we didn’t let it phase us. We’ve got a strong group.”
Houston head coach J.B. Bickerstaff on his team’s first half performance
“One of their strengths defensively is their versatility. They do a lot of switching. They have guys who can defend multiple positions. We didn’t do a good enough job making them pay. When they switch, we have to move more. Instead, we moved less which made us easier to guard. They just sat … they has 10 eyes on the ball-handler. We didn’t put enough pressure behind them, move them around enough so our penetraters could penetrate and make plays for other people. This can’t be a one-sided game offensively. The ball has to move. There has to be a thrust to your offense.There has to be early action, early attacks. They’re too good defensively if you don’t.”
Up next
Game two will be played on Monday at 7:30 PM (PDT) in Oakland. The game will be televised on TNT.
A’s Weekend Preview update
By DANIEL DULLUM
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, April 14, 2016
THIS JUST IN …
On Saturday, Oakland Alameda Coliseum and Oracle Arena will host dual events, when the Oakland Athletics take on the Kansas City Royals at 1:05 p.m. and the Golden State Warriors open their NBA postseason play at 12:30 p.m.
In a statement from the A’s, the team highly recommends traveling to the Coliseum by BART and Capitol Corridor. If arriving by vehicle, please note there will be limited parking and an increased parking price of $40, the price being charged for the Oracle Arena event. Parking will be limited and fans will be turned away from parking once lots are full. Coliseum parking lots open at 9 a.m. and ballpark gates open at 11:05 a.m.
Saturday’s game will throwback to the BillyBall era when 15,000 fans receive a Stephen Vogt 1981 Replica Jersey, presented by Cache Creek Casino Resort. The A’s have postponed the Play Ball 5K to Sunday, July 17 due to the dual event.
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Given the Oakland Athletics’ extensive use of its disabled list over the last few seasons, it’s only fitting that the Swingin’ A’s have settled on a new healthcare provider.
The A’s announced that Sutter Health has entered into a multiyear partnership of undisclosed length with the club, and the announcement stated that the A’s and Sutter Health will “promote health and wellness initiatives,” including a new youth wellness program.
This weekend, the A’s host Kansas City for a three-game set at the Oakland (formerly O.co) Coliseum. On MLB’s Jackie Robinson Day celebration, right-hander Edinson Volquez will be on the mound for the Royals, facing Oakland left-hander Rich Hill. Game time is 7:05 p.m.
Games on Saturday and Sunday start at 1:05 p.m. Sonny Gray is slated to start on Sunday.
A’s reliever Ryan Madson, a former Royal who helped KC win the 2015 World Series, will be presented with his championship ring and a gold-trimmed uniform worn by Kansas City in its first two games.
OAKLAND–The game of the season for the Golden State Warriors after winning their last two in San Antonio and Memphis was predictable on Wednesday night because once they got 72 and you just had to figure coming home for the last game they were going to get that 73 hell or high water. Except for that one point win over the Grizzlies last weekend 100-99 on the road. The Warriors have done pretty well against Memphis they had the 50 point win over the Grizzlies at the beginning of this season.
They crushed the Grizzlies in post season last year and this year’s team didn’t even have Mark Gasol or Mike Connolly their two best players who were down due to injuries. They were definitely fielding a depleted Memphis squad to top it off Memphis was already coming off a big loss to the Clippers Tuesday night as they were on a back to back nights.
USA Today photo: Stephen Curry put on a show on Wednesday night at Oracle Arena against the Memphis Grizzlies
OAKLAND–The Golden State Warriors ended the regular season with 73 wins and 9 losses, that is the best record ever during a regular season for a team in the National Basketball Association., They’re better then the record of the great Chicago Bulls of 1995-96, the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen teams. Warriors coach Don Nelson could only dream of such a season, anybody in the NBA, not only Nelson, can only dream of having a team loosing nine games on an 82 game season.
As a person who covered and traveled with the Golden State Warriors in the 1990’s I can only admired this 2016-17 team in awe of such an accomplishment. Let us not forget that it comes on the season following their defending of their reigning title of 2014-15. Few teams in history, in any sport, have defended a title with such numbers. Now the Warriors had some great players in their history from Wilt Chamberlain, to Rick Barry and Nate”The Great”:Thurmond, but what Stephen Curry has done with this team and a cast of others, who actually check their egos at the gate, it is amazing.
Forget the NBA, this is a season almost impossible to compare to any team in any other professional league in this country. Defending a title, I think the Warriors had the best season of a-n-y-b-o-d-y. And actually the fans they have recruited during these past seasons is unprecedented here in the Bay Area. Truth-be-said, the Warriors always enjoyed great fan support in the Bay Area, as many years as they never won anything, no other pro-sports team here in Northern California can compare to the support the Warriors have enjoyed.
If they played at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, next to the Oracle Arena, they could have filled the Coliseum, even the seats on the upper-deck that are permanently closed, would be open and selling like hot cakes.
I am very happy for the Warriors success, they make the Bay Area proud,and even though they might move to San Francisco in the future, they are a Bay Area team, congratulations to Mr.Peter Guber and Mr Joe Lacob for buying a team in distress a few years back and putting together one of the jewels of sports.
sfgate.com: Golden State Warrior Stephen Curry beams after the game winner that put the Warriors as the winningest team in NBA history on Wednesday night
The Golden State Warriors achieved on Wednesday a record few thought would ever be broken — a 73rd win, accomplished in typical, dominant fashion with a 125-104 win over the Grizzlies at Oracle Arena.
In doing so, they finish the season with a 73-9 record, one win better than 1995-1996 Chicago Bulls team that recorded 72 wins.
Stephen Curry added another accomplishment to cap off a spectacular regular season, dropping 46 points and 10 3-pointers, eclipsing 400 3-pointers made on the campaign.
The Warriors piled up 70 points in the first half, taking a 20-point lead into halftime. The game was essentially decided early on, when Curry made three consecutive 3-pointers to give the Warriors a double-digit first quarter advantage.
The Oracle crowd, raucous as usual, helped the Warriors blow the Grizzlies away. Golden State broke the 100-point mark late in the third quarter on a 3-pointer by Curry.
By the end, the buzzer sounded and the confetti stream, capping off the greatest regular season in basketball history.
The Warriors’ march toward the championship will begin on Saturday against the Rockets at 12:30 p.m.
On the Golden State Warriors podcast with Joe Hawkes Beamon the Warriors timing couldn’t have been any better with one game left on the regular schedule and a home game at that the Warriors are on the brink of breaking the coveted all time winning record held by the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls. The Warriors play the Memphis Grizzlies for the second time in as many days as five.
The last time the two clubs met they played a razor close game with getting by with a 100-99 victory avoiding losing the record. The Sunday was razor close from the stand point that Golden State had to come back and erase a deficit but defeated the San Antonio Spurs for the Spurs loss at home this season 92-86. A Warriors win will not only mean getting the winningest record of all time but they’ll pick up their fourth straight win.
Joe Hawkes Beamon covers all the latest on the Warriors click below for the podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com Joe is filling in for David Zizmor who will be back for the Warriors playoffs
