Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors back into the swing of things after big win over Bucks

Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins, center, throws down between Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, left, and forward Jordan Nwora (13) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Mar 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

  1. Saturday night the Golden State Warriors took on the reigning World Champion Bucks.  What challenges did they face in in this game?

2. Although superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 31 points in this game it was just not enough to get past the Warriors.

 3.Klay Thompson had his struggles off and on since his comeback but Saturday saw  an electric performance beating the Bucks.  Not only Thompson but Jordan Poole also had a light’s out game.

4. It was a very cool night for Stephen Curry who only scored eight points in the game but with the depth of this roster it was no problem.  Curry didn’t really get a chance to shoot being double teamed all night.

5. Tonight the Warriors take on the Washington Wizards who sit in 11th place in the Eastern Conference and have a lot to play for.  How will the Warriors handle this contest.

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

Warriors Handle the World Champs 122-109; Thompson takes Bucks by the horns scores 38 points

The Golden State Warriors Klay Thompson (right) goes up against the Milwaukee Bucks Bobby Portis Jr (left) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Mar 12, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Handle the World Champs 122-109

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night the Golden State Warriors (46-22) took on the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks (42-26). The talk of the town is the strength of the Bucks. Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo leads the Bucks and is coming off a crazy performance Wednesday night against Atlanta with 34 points. His has an incredible supporting cast with Kris Middleton, Bobby Portis, and Jrue Holiday.

The Warriors have some super strengths themselves with the Splash Brothers Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole off the merit of his excellent bench play averaging almost 24 points a game in his last five games.

Kevon Looney rounds out the starting roster. Looney has been great defensively in the absence of Draymond Green. Monday night Green is expected to be back on the court for Golden State.

Giannis got into some early foul trouble in the opening quarter and sat out the final six minutes of the first quarter. The first 12 minutes of this game were hotly contested. The teams started trading three’s and after the first quarter this game was tied at 28.

The second quarter really heated up for the Warriors as Thompson hit three consecutive shots from downtown. After six minutes in the second quarter the Warriors were lighting up the court as Thompson continued to hit three’s and the Warriors had taken a 50-41 lead.

At the half the Warriors had scored 38 points in the quarter, 17 of them coming from Thompson giving Golden State a 67-58 lead. The game had been tied six times in the half.

Thompson had 21 points in the half for the Warriors and for the Bucks the team leader after two quarters was Antetokounmpo with 17. With Curry attracting so much attention from the Bucks Thompson and Poole had a lot of open looks that they were taking full advantage of. The Warriors had an exceptional first half and would have to repeat it through two more quarters.

The Warriors would take an early 17 point lead in the third quarter, the largest of the game for Golden State. After two minutes the Warriors had a 20 point lead blistering the Bucks from the three point line.

Golden State continued to lead after three quarters 103-84. Every time the Bucks made a move, the Warriors would answer. After three, Thompson had 31 points closely followed by Poole with 30 points.

In the early fourth quarter Thompson had his high score since his returned to action with 36 points. The Warriors had only three turnovers so far in this game. Ball control, energy, effort and execution won this game for Golden State. Thompson finished with 38 points and Poole with 30. Andrew Wiggins really picked it up scoring 21 points.

The Warriors dominated throughout the second half. Curry had a season low in this game but his teammates picked up the slack to bring this one home, 122-109 Golden State has now won three games in a row.

Monday night the Warriors welcome back Green as they take on the Washington Wizards. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM as Golden State will be looking for a fourth win in a row.

Warriors Survive With a High Octane Finish against Nuggets 113-102

A late second half basket by the Golden State Warriors Jordan Poole gets Stephen Curry (30) excited against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Mar 10, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Survive With a High Octane Finish against Nuggets 113-102

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (45-22) took on the Denver Nuggets (40-27) in a game that screams deja vu. if you said hey didn’t we just play these guys Monday night the answer would be a resounding yes and the Warriors lost that one. They didn’t lose on Thursday night with a 113-102 win.

So here are the Warriors back in Denver for a second time in less than a week. The Warriors will have to find a way to contain Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets are currently in a tie for fifth place and a single game out of fourth place. They have a lot to play for in tonight’s game as does Golden State. The Warriors would like to get back into second place in the standings.

The Warriors had a fast start in this game and as expected Jokic was a huge presence throughout the quarter. The Warriors held a slim lead after the first quarter 30-29. The Nuggets came on strong in the second quarter winning it 31-21 and taking a 60-51 halftime lead.

The first two quarters were hotly contested. The Warriors were allowing too many open and uncontested Nugget looks which contributed to the Denver half time lead.

The Nuggets had taken a 14 point lead in the third quarter after the first four minutes of play. Momentum was clearly on their side. As we have seen so many time in the past however, momentum can turn on a dime. The Warriors waged a comeback as the quarter came to an end taking the lead in this game 88-84.

The fourth quarter was a high-octane affair for both teams. The Warriors led through seven minutes of the quarter. The Nuggets made a comeback tying up the game at 98. Denver would go one to take a slim lead before Jordan Poole iced the game.

Poole shot two from downtown with 54 seconds left on the clock and Golden State had survived a very tough challenge. They won this game.

Stephen Curry had a great game with 34 points and was five of 12 from downtown. Off the bench the hero of the game Jordan Poole had 21 points and was four of seven from downtown including the two critical shots in the final minute of the game. Golden State displayed some great defense especially in the fourth quarter.

Jokic was not hitting three’s tonight which made things awfully hard on Denver. The Warriors defense had a lot to do with the missed Jokic shots. He would finish with 23 points and zip from three point range.

This was a gritty, gutsy game that Golden State played, especially down the stretch. They did not fall apart, making critical baskets when desperately needed. The Warriors are now in second play tied with the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference.

This is a second win in a row for the Warriors and they hope to string a third on Saturday against the Milwaukee Bucks at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors were playing so bad they almost needed Will Ferrell’s help

Actor Will Ferrell takes some practice shots Rick Barry style in front of Golden State Warrior guard Stephen Curry before their game against the Los Angeles Clippers at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Mar 8, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with David:

#1 Actor Will Farrell took his act to the floor of Chase Center in San Francisco and took pre game practice with Golden State Warriors (44-22) superstars Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry. It must have work Golden State had a five game losing streak going and all that laughing and getting loose helped the Warriors defeat the Los Angeles Clippers (34-33) Tuesday night 112-97.

#2 Dave, talk about that surprising top three of scorers for the Warriors on Monday night Jonathan Kuminga with 21 points, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole both finishing with 20 points.

#3 It’s off to Denver and the Nuggets (39-26) who are playing in Sacramento tonight and will face the Warriors on Thu Mar 10th at Ball Arena in Denver. The Nuggets have now won nine out of their last ten games and got a big win over the Warriors on Monday night 131-124. The Warriors will be really going after the Nuggets on Thursday night.

Join David each Wednesday for the Warriors podcast at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors Break Five Game Losing Streak Beating Clippers 112-97

The Golden State Warriors find that old magic again as Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) scored on the Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Mar 8, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Break Five Game Losing Streak Beating Clippers 112-97

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday night the Golden State Warriors (44-22) were back at Chase Center to take on the Los Angeles Clippers (34-33). Now, more than any other time this season, there is no place like home for this team.

They have lost nine of their last 11 games and they desperately need a win. As we approach the post-season, nothing is going to come easy for the Warriors and they will have to dig deep and fight for every game.

Never mind who is in what place in the standings. The Warriors just need to get back into the rhythm that they played with earlier in the season and the rest will take care of itself. Energy, execution and effort will be critical for Golden State going forward.

Tuesday night the starting roster welcomed back Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins. Kevon Looney and Moses Moody round out the starting roster. Moody has really been putting on a show lately. Last night he finished with 30 points against the Nuggets: a brilliant game for the 19- year old.

After one quarter while the offense for the Warriors was mediocre without a single shot from downtown, the defense held the Clippers to 26% shooting. The score was tied after the first 12 minutes at 17.

The long ball did not drop for Golden State in the first quarter but they dropped a couple to start the second quarter. The Warriors started to make a move on Los Angeles as the quarter wore on taking a 43-26 lead.

The Warrior defense was outstanding and the offense was right on their heels. It was an outstanding quarter for Golden State going off offensively leading at the half 54-36 in this final game against the Clippers in the regular season. The Warriors continued their defensive assault on the Clippers holding them to 27% shooting in the second quarter.

Golden State kept their foot on the pedal through the third quarter leading 86-61 heading into the fourth quarter. They had held the Clippers to 29% through three quarters. You could not have asked for more offensively or defensively.

Heading into the fourth quarter memories still linger from the Mavericks game that saw Golden State relinquish a 21 point lead to lose the game.

The Warriors had a 29 point lead in the final quarter of this game that was reduced to an 11 point lead with under 15 minutes left in the game. Down the stretch the Warriors needed to finish this game strong.

Golden State finished off the Clippers 112-97 to snap their losing streak. The Warriors got some exceptional work from Jonathan Kuminga with 21, Curry and Poole both with 20 points.

They held the Clippers to 35% shooting; Golden State had six players with double digits. The Warriors needed to start this game with a strong defensive effort and they did just that. The Warriors did a great job defending one on one in this game.

As if Curry hasn’t broken enough records, he now owns the most steals in franchise history with 1363.

It’s now back on the road for the Warriors to take on the Denver Nuggets yet again. They lost to Denver just this past Monday 131-124. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00.

Gutsy Warriors Fall Short To Denver 131-124;Golden State takes fifth straight loss

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, gets the ball away as Golden State Warriors forward Juan Toscano-Anderson, center, and center Kevon Looney try to put pressure on Jokic at the Ball Center Arena in Denver on Mon Mar 7, 2022 (AP News photo)

Gutsy Warriors Fall Short To Denver 131-124

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Golden State Warriors (43-22) took on the Nuggets (39-26) in Denver. The Nuggets come into this game riding on an nine of ten winning streak. They are playing red-hot ball right now after an overtime win last night against the New Orleans Pelicans. The Nuggets captured a 131-124 win over the Warriors at the Ball Arena in Denver on Monday night.

The Warriors come into the game without four of their best players on the court. Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins are out for this game resting. They are waiting on word regarding Draymond Green.

The starting roster for the Warriors were Kevon Looney, Moses Moody, Jordan Poole, Juan Toscano-Anderson, and Damien Lee. The Warriors will have to limit the turnovers especially against a team that is playing so well right now and they will have to try to contain big man Nikola Jokic.

The Warriors had a nice start in the first quarter taking an early lead 14-9. The Nuggets starting forcing a few turnovers and Denver quickly caught up and took a 34-24 lead with 1:11 left in the first 12 minutes Denver took a 40-31 lead after one quarter.

Moses Moody led the Warriors shooting with 15 points and the rest of the Golden State starters had 11 combined points. Denver had shot at 70% in the opening quarter which could prove a problem if they continued at that pace.

The Warriors were able to pull to within five points in the second quarter and were doing their best to hang around in this game. Although the Nuggets continued shooting well, (at 62% in the quarter) the Warriors continued to handle business.

They trailed by a couple at the half 71-69. The efficient offensive effort for the Warriors was great. Moses Moody finished the half with 22 points and Kuminga had 12 off the bench. Poole got really hot in the second quarter with 11 points.

The Warriors continued to hang in the game. After three quarters they trailed 104-101. Golden State was putting on a feisty, gutsy show refusing to back down. Going into the fourth quarter mental lapses by the Warriors turned the tables. Denver was making them pay for any mistakes they committed.

The Warriors got within four points after trailing by double digits mid-way through the quarter. It was no surprise when the Nuggets turned to Jokic down the stretch. Golden State gave the Nuggets all they could handle but just came up short. The final was 131-124 in favor of Denver.

Golden State has to be proud of the effort that they put into this game. Poole had 32 points and Moody finished with 30 points. Kuminga had 16 points. Looney had 11 rebounds. The Warriors now sit in third place in the Western Conference.

Tuesday night the Warriors are back at it taking on the Los Angeles Clippers at Chase Center. It will be great to be back home if only for one game. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Warriors on four game losing streak; Will try again in Denver tonight

The call may not have gone the way Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James may have wanted as he’s seen here reacting after being called for a foul but he wound up scoring a team leading 56 points against the Golden State Warriors on Sat Mar 5, 2022 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 The Los Angeles Lakers (28-35) LeBron James had the hot hand against the Golden State Warriors (43-21) on Saturday night with a team leading 56 points and the Warriors had complications trying to shut his offensive game down.

#2 The Lakers 124-116 win snapped their four game losing streak it had to be a relief for a LA team with a tandem of superstars like LeBron, Russell Westbrook, Anthony Davis and Carmelo Anthony.

#3 For the Warriors it just seemed like a struggle to shut down LeBron’s game as LeBron said in the post game conference, “I felt pretty good with my game tonight, every part of the floor, and I was able to make a couple plays to help us win,”

#4 It was the third highest point total for the regular season for LeBron, For the Warriors it just seemed like a struggle to shut down LeBron’s game on the defensive side of the ball.

#5 Klay Thompson said his shot wasn’t falling and some even hit the backboard on Saturday night. How do you see Thompson and the Warriors as they match up tonight against the Denver Nuggets at Ball Arena in Denver.

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

Fourth Quarter Meltdown Hands Warriors Fourth Loss In A Row 124-116

LeBron James who scored a game leading 56 points against the Golden State Warriors takes the ball against the Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles on Sat Mar 5, 2022 (AP News photo)

Fourth Quarter Meltdown Hands Warriors Fourth Loss In A Row 124-116

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night two struggling teams were trying to set their ship right. The Golden State Warriors (43-21) took on the Los Angeles Lakers (28-36) at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and fell to the Lakers 124-116. The Warriors have lost four in a row for the first time this season.

When the season started, the Warriors almost looked unbeatable and the Lakers with their impressive starters were actually picked to win the Western Conference. Fast forward and the Lakers are fighting to maintain a spot that will make them eligible for the play-in game. They have lost every game since the All-Star dropping four in a row.

The Warriors, although in a much better spot than Los Angeles, having been struggling losing seven of their last nine games. They are missing Draymond Green and right now there is no timetable for his return. Golden State does have the second best record in the NBA.

Before the game Magic Johnson was explaining exactly what has been happening with the Lakers and their lack of offense and defense. Everything that he said could have been applied to the Warriors as well. Both of these teams were hoping to turn things around tonight.

The first quarter was all Lakers as they took a 25-11 lead. They were pounding the Warriors in the paint and keeping the Warrior offense at bay. It was an ugly start for Golden State. As the quarter began to wind down the Warriors made a move cutting the Laker lead in half 32-25.

After the quarter Head Coach Steve Kerr was asked what he though of the first quarter. “I didn’t think much of it,” he said. “We didn’t put up much of a fight.” The way that Golden State ended the quarter was far better than their start.

The Warriors kept the pressure on the Lakers and at 7:12 in the second quarter had taken the lead 45-40. There had been a 24 point turnaround since the start of the game. The early Laker start had gone completely awry. After trailing by as much as 14 in the second quarter the Lakers made a move as the half came to an end trailing by the score of 67-62.

LeBron James had scored 26 points in the first two quarters. The high score for the Warriors was off the bench as Jordan Poole came away with 16 points. Stephen Curry had 14.

The Warriors continued to lead through the third quarter but it all turned around in the fourth. The Golden State offense began to stumble and LeBron hit a couple of three’s that gave the Lakers their first lead of the second half 100-97.

The Golden State defense needed to tighten up. The final seven minutes of this game was electrifying. Great offense and defense by both teams, a flurry of three’s and this game was up for grabs.

The Warriors had a meltdown in the final three minutes offensively and defensively. Giving the Lakers wide open looks was not going to win very many games and late game turnovers sealed the Warriors fate as they lost their fourth game in a row.

LeBron finished with an amazing 56 points. Curry had 30 points and Poole had 23 off the bench for the Warriors in just one of another disappointing game for Golden State. This loss coupled with the Memphis Grizzlies win dropped the Warriors into third place in the Western Conference.

It doesn’t get any easier for the Warriors as they take on the Denver Nuggets Monday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Dallas Wins Season Series Beating Warriors 122-113; Golden State drops fifth out six games

Luca Doncic (77) of the Dallas Mavericks keeps the ball away from the Golden State Warriors Andrew Wiggins (22) at the American Airlines Arena in Dallas on Thu Mar 3, 2022 (AP News photo)

Dallas Wins Season Series Beating Warriors 122-113

By Barbara Mason

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (43-20) lost to the Dallas Mavericks (38-25) 122-113 and in a second meeting in less than a week. The way that Dallas is playing right now, they are very real contenders in the upcoming playoffs.

Sunday night after leading by 21 points going into the fourth quarter, the Warriors went cold losing to Dallas 107-101 in a 27 point turnaround. Lack of energy, execution and effort were the downfall of Golden State. Losing on their home court is something that we rarely see but it has been happening lately.

The Warriors tried their luck in the Mavericks building trying to even the score in these last three games. January 5th in Dallas the Warriors lost 99-82. Then again in January on the 25th, the Warriors manhandled the Mavericks 130-92.

That was then and this is now and the Warriors needed to get their act together. Jason Kidd has coached the Mavericks brilliantly and the Warriors need to impose their will instead of visa versa. Better execution and effort will be the order of the day in this game.

They needed to start hitting those open looks and if the three’s are not dropping they have to drive the basket, maybe draw some fouls and stop making the long ball the end all be all. Thursday the team needed help from Klay Thompson who returned to the court. In the one game that Golden State won this season against Dallas, Klay played.

The Warriors opened the first quarter working very hard defensively but it was a slow start offensively. The Mavericks got of to a great start leading 14-7 mid-way through the quarter. Luca Doncic was the driving force for Dallas shooting and drawing fouls. After a single quarter Doncic had scored 19 points. The Mavericks held a 38-27 lead and had shot 60% from the field.

The Mavericks became far too comfortable offensively in the first half. The Warriors had to do something to disrupt their flow in the second half. It was as if the Mavericks could not miss through two quarters. Dallas’ three point shooting was the difference in this game. The Mavericks held a 68-54 half-time lead.

The Warriors made up some ground in the third quarter which became a shooting marathon between both teams. With four minutes left in the quarter Doncic already had 35 points. The Mavericks were having their best three-point shooting night of the season with 15. The Mavericks maintained their lead after three 99-91. The Warriors had made up some ground but still had a lot of work to do.

After being 17 down the Warriors had tied up this game thanks to Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody dropping three’s. These rookies had come to play. With 6:26 left in the game and the score 104 apiece this was anyone’s game.

The Warriors put up a fight but just could not handle Doncic and company. Doncic finished with 41 points and the Mavericks had 17 from downtown in an amazing game. The Warriors had 15 from long which is not at all shabby.

It was just too little too late in yet another game that Golden State was unable to finish. “We did not start out the game the way that we wanted to,” said Head Coach Steve Kerr after the game. “We let him (Doncic) get going,” he said.

The Warriors had a great fourth quarter but it was just not enough to make up for the first half. Jordan Poole was the point leader in the game with 23 points.

It’s onto Los Angeles for the Warriors to take on the Lakers Saturday. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor: Warriors drop two consecutive games; Go to Dallas on Thursday night

The Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) knows things are a little off kilter as the Minnesota Timberwolves guard Patrick Beverly (right) is enjoying the moment at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Tue Mar 1, 2022 (AP News photo)

Golden State Warriors podcast with David Zizmor:

#1 Dave, Karl-Anthony Towns really took the bull by the horns and help lead the Minnesota Timberwolves (34-29) to a 129-114 victory over the Golden State Warriors (43-19) with a leading 39 points on Tuesday night at the Target Center.

#2 The Wolves were able to slow the Warriors Stephen Curry’s outside shot keeping Curry to a minimum going 5-16 on the three point attempts. Curry finished with 34 total points.

#3 The Warriors who have now lost two straight games and losing four of their last five games face the Dallas Mavericks (37-25). The Mavs are coming off two straight wins after defeating the Warriors Sunday and the Lakers Tuesday night. How do you see the Mavericks and Warriors in Dallas on Thursday night?

Join David Zizmor for the Warriors podcasts on Wednesdays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com