Category: Golden State Warriors

The Splash Brothers drown Kings, Warriors win 98-87

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By Gabe Schapiro

On Saturday night the Golden State Warriors (2-1) made easy work of their intrastate rivals, the Sacramento Kings (1-2), winning 98-87 at Oracle Arena. Klay Thompson led the way with a game-high 27 points on 10-of-17 shooting, including 3-of-8 beyond the arc.

The Warriors jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. A little over a minute into the second quarter a layup from the Kings Jason Thompson brought them within nine points, but that would be the last time Golden State’s lead wasn’t in the double digits.

To open the second half Sacramento made a strong push, going on an 8-0 run, but their momentum was squashed just as quickly as it started, when the Warriors found their shot again and responded with a 15-0 run of their own.

Heading into the fourth quarter Golden State had built a 20-point lead. From there they eased off the gas pedal and gave the end of their bench some playing time. As a result the Kings had their best quarter, but it was far too little too late, as the Warriors coasted to the victory in a game that was more lopsided then the final score would indicate.

The other half of the ‘Splash Brothers,’ Stephen Curry, had another strong game, finishing with a double-double. He scored 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting, five-of-eight from long distance, and dished out 12 assists.

David Lee, last year’s league leader in double-doubles, did it again for the 295th time of his career, contributing 15 points and 12 rebounds.

Andrew Bogut had a relatively quiet night on the stat sheet with six points and six rebounds, but on the defensive end he held DeMarcus Cousins at bay, and also chipped in four blocks.

For Sacramento it was their bench who did the most damage, with four of them finishing with double-digit points, led by rookie Ben McLemore, who scored a team-high 19.

Kings fall hard at Golden State

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By Charlie O. Mallonee

Every NBA fan knows that there is nothing harder for a team to do than win game two of a back-to-back schedule. The Kings traveled to Golden State and proved how hard it can be as they lost to the Warriors 98-87 after losing to the Clippers on Friday night. Do not let that score fool you. The game was much uglier than the final score would suggest.

In his post-game comments, Kings Head Coach Michael Malone summed up the game by saying his team did not shoot well and they did not defend well. He went on to say that his team’s effort was less than acceptable.

The game was essentially over after the first half. The Kings shot just 31.7% (13-41) from the field and were outscored by 10-points in the first and second quarters. The Warrior shot 53.7% (22-41) from the field and 46.7% (7/15) from behind the 3-point line. At half-time, the Warriors led the Kings 56-36.

The Kings came out hot in the third quarter by going on an opening 8-0 run to start the period. As the Kings attempted to fight their way back into the game, Golden State kept finding ways to score and keep the Kings at bay. At the 2:28 mark, Klay Thompson hit a 3-pointer followed by a Kings turnover that set up another Thompson 3-pointer. Sacramento never recovered from that sequence.

In the final quarter, both coaches went deep into their rotations to finish up the game. For the Kings, there was the first Jimmer Fredette sighting of the season. The Kings closed up the score but still lost 98-87

The Kings finished the game with a 34.5% (30-87) field goal shooting percentage. No matter what else you do, a team cannot win shooting 34.5%.

On defense, the Kings allowed the Warriors to shoot 51.3% (39-76). Sacramento allowed the Clippers to shoot 50% from the field on Friday night. The Kings cannot allow opponents to shoot that well and expected to win.

The one highlight of the game for the Kings was the play of rookie Ben McLemore. McLemore scored 19-points in 30 minutes of playing time. He also pulled down four rebounds, blocked two shots and added one assist. McLemore may have earned more playing time for himself with his performance against the Warriors.

The Kings will take Sunday off and return to practice on Monday. Their next game will on Tuesday when they host the “new look” Atlanta Hawks at Sleep Train Arena.

A Flawless Win in Season Opener for Dubs

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OAKLAND, Calif. – For the first time in years, the Golden State Warriors enters the 2013-2014 season with high expectations as one of the elite contenders in the Western Conference. Tonight, the Dubs proved that with a statement as they dominated the Los Angeles Lakers to a 125-to-94 blowout win at the Oracle Arena.

Klay Thompson scores a career-high with 38 points (15-19 FGS) and 5-7 from beyond the arch. From the opening quarter, he did not shy away from shooting the ball scoring 18 points.

David Lee, as well had a great evening coming back from hip surgery during the off-season scoring 24 points with eight rebounds.

Andre Iguodala also made his home debut scoring 7 points with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Curry contributed with 10 points and 6 dimes.

Despite the high scoring, the Warriors’ defense should be awarded. Their play on the defensive end was very impressive forcing 16 turnovers with 8 steals and keeping the paint dry with a game high of 9 blocks.

Head Coach Mark Jackson utilized the entire squad by giving every player on the active roster playing time. Tonight’s game was definitely a team game tallying up 34 total team assists.

Pau Gasol and Jodie Meeks of the Lakers led the team with 12 points and 7 rebounds and 14 points, respectively.

David Lee and the Warriors gearing up for tonight’s opener

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By Gabe Schapiro

For the Golden State Warriors the lengthy preseason, which included a trip to China, is finally over. Tonight the regular season begins, and a visibly thinner and more in-shape David Lee is ready and rearing to go.

Lee, who was the lone Warrior All-Star last season, is known for his prowess on the offensive end of the floor. Beyond just getting in better shape, Lee has spent much of the offseason focusing on improving his defensive game. For Lee, the two goals are one in the same. “Not being in as good of shape last year, looking back on the film, sometimes I would take possessions off. With the amount of work they had me doing on offense, it might have been on the defensive end a little.”

Over the course of seven preseason game, Lee has already seen that work and focus starting to pay off. “My pick-and-roll defense has been much better and my help defense has been much better…The big thing for me is making extra-effort plays.” Giving a nod to fellow big-man and defensive force down-low, he added, “I’m not claiming to be Andrew Bogut, but defensively on the post I’ve been doing a lot better competing.”

With an eye towards being “one of the best power forwards in the league,” Lee went on that “if you’re looking at making improvements and making that next step…for me it’s got to start on that defensive end.”

Focusing in on tonight’s contest against the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State is taking on a team they have seen a lot of recently. They played them three times during the preseason, and were taking notes during the Lakers victory over the Los Angeles Clippers last night in their own regular season opener.

The Lakers surprised many, and overcame not having Kobe Bryant in the lineup thanks to an incredible 76 points from their bench and a strong shooting night from beyond the arc.

Lee and the Warriors aren’t taking LA lightly, with or without Bryant. “Anybody out there if you don’t give them their proper due they can hurt you…you gotta be ready no matter who they have on the floor.”

When asked what the keys to winning tonight’s contest were, Lee kept it simple. “We have to share the ball offensively…defensively we have to defend that three-point line, that’s an equalizer.”

Most of all, it has to be a team effort. “We have to come ready to play. Not just one-through-five but one-through-ten or however many of our guys get into the game.”

Dismal second half drowns Warriors, lose 90-74 to the Trail Blazers

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By Gabe Schapiro

In their final preseason tune-up, in what wasn’t a particularly well-played game for either side, the Golden State Warriors were defeated by the Portland Trail Blazers, 90-74. The Warriors had a solid first half, but the wheels fell off from there, doing more damage then they could overcome. Golden State finishes the preseason with a 3-4 record.

Coming out of the gate it was the Warriors who looked more crisp and ready to play. Portland was extremely sloppy, thanks in part to strong defensive play from Golden State, turning the ball over seven times and shooting just 33% from the field in the first quarter. The Warriors, on the other hand, turned the ball over just once. They made a few mistakes but as a whole played well. Klay Thompson led the way with eight points. Andre Iguodala chipped in another five. Damian Lillard was the only thing keeping the Trail Blazers in the game with seven points. At the end of one the Warriors had a 23-16 lead.

The second quarter saw both benches get extended play. The Trail Blazers started finding their shot and chipped away at the lead, but never managed to overtake it. Golden State’s starters returned and grabbed a hold of the momentum again. Curry caught fire, scoring eight points in the quarter including a big three-pointer in the waning seconds that lifted the fans to their feet. For Portland it was Mo Williams’ turn to keep them in the game, coming off the bench to the tune of 11 points in the quarter. It wasn’t enough, however, and through 24 minutes of play, the Warriors maintained their seven-point lead, 48-41.

Coming out of the locker room Golden State scored a quick three points to give them their biggest lead of the game at 11. From there, however, they completely lost their shot and things got ugly. Portland went on a 22-0 run, fueled in large part by Lillard and LaMarcus Aldridge, before the Warriors finally found the bottom of the net again with a little over two minutes to play in the quarter. After out-scoring Golden State 25-9 in the third, the Trail Blazers had grabbed a 66-57 lead.

The Warriors made a small push in the fourth quarter, at one point going on a 7-0 run, but they would never seriously threat re-taking the lead. Fans started heading for the exits in packs with several minutes remaining, as the Trail Blazers eased their way to victory.

Lillard had a game-high 21 points. Aldridge (16 points, 12 rebounds) and Nicolas Batum (10 points, 15 rebounds) both finished with double-doubles.

For Golden State Curry led the scoring with 17 points and a game-high six assists. Thompson finished with 16 points and five rebounds.

For the Warriors the regular season begins next Wednesday, October 30 when they will be taking on the LA Lakers at Oracle Arena.

Warriors lose at the end, 91-90

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By George Devine, Sr.

The Warriors showed great promise at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, including a 12-2 run in the second period, only to lose to the Kings at the end, 91-90.

At one point Golden State led by 17, and even had a 14-point advantage in the last period, but scored only 9 in that last quarter and came up a point short. The final frame was crucial, as the W’s made only 3 of 19 shots and were outgunned 21-9. David Lee was fouled with 1.2 seconds left and the Warriors were behind, 91-89. His two free throws could have put the game into overtime, but he missed the second.

Breaking down the game by quarters: at the end of the first, Golden State trailed 23-20 but at the half led 51-48. At the end of the third the Warriors’ lead was 81-70 but it was a game of endurance and Sacramento squeaked by.

Isaiah Thomas came off the bench to tally 21 points — the high for Sacramento — and excited the hometown crowd, still giddy over the retention of the Kings’ franchise. Darrell Cousins had 9. For the Warriors, Curry led the scoring with 24, Klay Thompson had 18, and Andrew Bogut had 12 in addition to 7 rebounds. Lee had 11 points. Andre Iguodala had 8 points, 6 assists, 4 boards and 3 steals.

Warriors destroy the Laker

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 Klay Thompson made 5 of 6 3-pointers and scored 25 points to help the Golden State Warriors rout the Los Angeles Lakers 115-89 in a pre-season game in Shanghai on Friday night.

 

David Lee added 16 points and Draymond Green had 14 points and six rebounds for the Warriors, who followed up their 100-95 win over the Lakers in Beijing on Tuesday with another victory.

Bryant is sitting out the start of the season as he recovers from a torn Achilles tendon. Pau Gasol was the only Lakers player in double digits, scoring 16 points.

 

Lakers coach Mike D’Antoni said, however, he wasn’t worried about his team’s performances in China this week.

The Warriors opened up a close game with a 26-5 run late in the third quarter to take an 84-68 lead late in the period. Golden State got 13 points from Thompson during the run, including three 3-pointers in a 1 1/2-minute span.

The only slight concern for the team came three minutes into the game when Andrew Bogut left with back spasms after scoring a layup and didn’t return. The Australian center has battled injuries in recent years -only playing 32 regular-season games for the Warriors last year -but has been fit coming into this season.

 

 

 

Jazz rout the Warriors

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Jeremy Evans scored 12 points and had 13 rebounds to help the Utah Jazz rout the Golden State Warriors 101-78 in a preseason game Tuesday night.

John Lucas, signed as a mentor for rookie Trey Burke, proved he can score if required, getting 12 points of his 16 points in the second quarter as Utah built an 18-point lead.

Derrick Favors had 10 points and 14 rebounds, Alec Burks had 14 points and Burke added 12 points.

Free agent acquisition Marreese Speights led the Warriors with 13 points. Stephen Curry and David Lee each had 10 points for Golden State.

Curry’s 23 points leads Warriors over Kings, 94-81

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By Gabe Schapiro

In the second game of the preseason schedule, the Golden State Warriors (1-1) picked up a convincing victory, 94-81, over the Sacramento Kings (0-1) at Oracle Arena. While the outcomes obviously don’t count, the preseason remains very important for figuring out depth charts and building team chemistry. And of course, above all else it’s just about getting into game shape without getting hurt.

The Kings got off to a fast start in this one, hitting a groove early and nailing 62% of their shots in the first quarter. The Warriors looked a bit rusty, and trailed by as many as nine points. Stephen Curry kept them within striking distance, however, with seven of the teams 21 points, to go along with three assists through one. The highlight of the quarter was an impressive lob from Curry just past half-court to a streaking Andre Iguodala for a thunderous slam dunk. Although it’s just the preseason that was likely a glimpse of what we may be seeing quite often this season.

The momentum swung Golden State’s way in the second, capturing their first lead of the game with eight minutes remaining in the first half. David Lee, Klay Thompson, and Marreese Speights came alive, contributing eight, eight, and six points respectively by halftime. Lee also had a team high eight rebounds.

The Kings made a late charge, however, and retook a 44-39 lead heading into the locker rooms. Isaiah Thomas led the way for Sacramento with nine points and six assists.

By the third quarter both sides were predominantly playing their reserve players. Not to say that isn’t important as we get our first extended looks at the Warriors remolded bench, which will be one of their keys to success this season.

The two teams traded leads several times throughout the quarter, with Golden State mostly dominating play by the end of it. They out-scored the Kings 23-18, and outshot them .500-to-.313. Ultimately they erased their half time deficit, and headed into the fourth all tied up at 62-62.

The Warriors continued their strong play, and started running away with the game in the fourth quarter. In the last few minutes they emptied their bench, and eased their way to the win.

Possibly the biggest thing to keep an eye on through the preseason is how the competition for the fifth starting spot shakes out. Curry, Iguodala, Lee, and Andrew Bogut are pretty well entrenched as starters, leaving the final spot up for grabs between Harrison Barnes and Klay Thompson. Barnes started tonight, but struggled early, failing to record a point, and was never re-inserted into the game after playing the first six minutes. Thompson, on the flip side played nearly 30 minutes on the night, and finished second on the team with 17 points to go along with four rebounds, two blocked shots, and a steal.

Curry had a nice outing, contributing a game high 23 points. Lee had a double-double, 14 points and 13 rebounds. Iguodala filled up the stat sheet, adding seven points, three rebounds, three assists, and a whopping five steals.

The preseasons schedule continues tomorrow in Utah at 6:00 PM.

 

Game Notes: Ognjen Kuzmic made his Warriors debut, playing five minutes…Speights had six points, three rebounds, and three blocks in 14 minutes off the bench…Seth Curry scored his first points as a Warrior, a buzzer-beating three pointer to end the game

Warriors fall to Lakers in Preseason Opener

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By: Phillip Torres

October 5, 2013

ONTARIO, CA- The Golden State Warriors played the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night at Citizens Business Bank Arena. The Lakers outlasted Golden State 104-95 in the preseason exhibition. Xavier Henry lead the way for Los Angeles with 29 points. The veterans for the Lakers rested as they are expected to do for most of this preseason. Nick Young contributed 17 points as well. The Preseason victory was the first for the Lakers in their last 10 preseason games and first since they beat the Warriors on October 22, 2010.

Steve Nash, Pau Gasol, and Kobe Bryant did not play in the preseason opener as they all will be rested throughout the preaseon games. Bryant was not even in the United States as he continued his medical treatment in Europe.

Klay Thompson scored 26 for the Dubs and newly acquired Andre Iguodala scored 15 in his first action with Golden State. He missed just one shot for his new team on the night. Harrison Barnes and David Lee each scored 10 points a piece and Stephen Curry score just five in just 14 minutes of action.

The Warriors will be back on the court on Monday against the Sacramento Kings in Oakland at Oracle Arena.

Phillip Torres covers the Golden Sate Warriors for Sportsradioservice.com