Category: Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Rockets vs. Warriors tip off at Chase tonight; Houston has never recovered after losing Harden

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The Brooklyn Nets James Harden is excited for his team on Sat Jan 29, 2022 against the Golden State Warriors and his old team the Houston Rockets have never recovered since his departure. The Warriors host the Rockets Mon Jan 31, 2022 at the Chase Center in San Francisco (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, tell us about what the Brooklyn Nets (29-20) Kyrie Irving told the Golden State Warriors (37-13) Klay Thompson Saturday night saying that Stephen Curry has “completely revolutionized the game.”

#2 Irving has much respect for Golden State for what they’ve accomplished saying, “Going against each other has been great, but I think studying each other has been even more of a special bond,”

#3 Anytime the Nets and Warriors match up and you could expect a tough, exciting game full of great defense and offense and the game Saturday night was no different in a four point win for the Warriors 110-106.

#4 Barbara, talk about Andrew Wiggins who been getting off some great shots, has been getting a lot of looks and during Curry’s short slump has made up the difference on some of the scoring.

#5 The Houston Rockets (14-35) are going Houston on tonight the Rockets have lost seven of their last 11 games losing their last game on Friday night to the Portland Trailblazers (21-28) 125-110. Houston has really not been the organization that they were since James Harden left for Brooklyn.

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

Warriors Beat Nets In a Thriller 110-106; No KD to face old teammates

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The Brooklyn Nets Kyrie Irving (left) can still share a joke after losing to the Golden State Warriors and Klay Thompson (right) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Sat Jan 29, 2022 (AP News photo)

 Warriors Beat Nets In a Thriller 110-106

By Barbara Mason

Saturday night on prime TV the Golden State Warriors (37-13) took on the Brooklyn Nets (29-20). The Nets will be shorthanded playing without Kevin Durant and James Harden. The Warriors will continue without the brilliant defense of Draymond Green although the team has really displayed some pretty impressive defense in his absence.

The main threats that the Warriors will face from the Nets will be team leader Patty Mills and Kyrie Irving. Big Red Blake Griffin will be a weapon off the bench for the nets. Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole off the bench have been having a great home-stand and with the leadership of Stephen Curry will give Brooklyn a fight. The Warriors would hold off Brooklyn 110-106 at the Chase Center in San Francisco.

After trailing by six points to start the first quarter the Warriors got going leading after 12 minutes 31-20. The Nets were able to not only tie the game in the second quarter but take a four points lead. Wiggins and Poole were having a great first half and the Warriors were able to take back the lead, ahead by seven after two quarters of basketball 54-47.

Wiggins finished the first half with 17 points and was three of five from downtown. Poole had ten points off the bench with a couple from downtown himself. Mills and Irving each had 11 points in the half.

The Warriors led by as much as 19 points in the third quarter. As the quarter came to an end the Nets went on a 20-4 run and trailed Golden State by a single basket 78-76 and the Warriors had a real fight on their hands. “They need to make better decisions” said Head Coach Steve Kerr in reference to the shots that Curry and Klay Thompson had been taking in this game.

The Nets were not going away and the Warriors needed to contain Irving who had 25 points through three quarters. Mid-way through the fourth quarter the game was all tied up at 93. The Warriors had ten turnovers in the game a few of them in the critical fourth quarter.

This hotly contested game would go down to the wire. With 9.0 left on the clock the Warriors had the lead 107-106 and the ball. Thompson would shoot two free throws to end the Nets hopes for a win.

This was an amazing performance by both teams. Irving had 32 points and Mills with 24 points. This was another loss for Brooklyn in a string of losses. For Golden State it was another impressive last minute win.

The Warriors cooled off mid-way through the fourth quarter but finished it off Warrior-style. Wiggins finished the game with 24 points for the high score. Curry had 19 points heating up in the second half and both Porter and Thompson had 16 points. After struggling through three quarters Curry and Thompson turned it on when it really counted knocking off the Nets.

This finishes off the Warriors home-stand. They will head out on the road to take on the Houston Rockets Monday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:00 PM.

Warriors close out game to top Wolves 124-115

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) shoots between Minnesota Timberwolves forward Anthony Edwards (1) and forward Jarred Vanderbilt (8) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Jan 26, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Close Out Game to Top Wolves 124-115

By Barbara Mason

Thursday evening the Warriors (36-13) took on the red-hot Minnesota Timberwolves (24-24) at Chase Center. If the season ended today the Wolves would be the seventh seed and the Warriors the second. The Warriors cooled off the Timberwolves with a 124-115 win.

The first quarter had all the makings of a very competitive game with both teams hitting threes from the get go. Both Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Otto Porter were hitting from outside. The Warriors were seven of 8 from downtown with under three minutes left in the quarter.

Andrew Wiggins joined in the fun going two of two from beyond the arc. While inside shooting was not falling for Golden State, it was raining three’s for the Warriors. Minnesota has forced the most turnovers in the league and Golden State experienced this first hand in this game. After 12 minutes this game was tied at 29.

The second quarter was a wild one. Minnesota was winning from the free throw line but the Warriors were winning from three point range. Minnesota had brought their A game tonight. Ball movement was insane from Golden State in the second quarter, even more so than usual.

The Wolves led at the half 61-57. Minnesota had five fouls but the Warriors had 15 which was troubling. In foul trouble for Golden State was Kevon Looney with four and Porter with three.

Karl-Anthony Towns was on fire for the Timberwolves scoring 23 in the first half and he got the Warriors in foul trouble. Wiggins and Thompson were the only Warriors in double digits. The Warriors would have their work cut out for them in the second half.

They would have to slow Karl Anthony; this would be key in the final quarters of this game. Golden State would need to clog up the paint; this is where Minnesota was hurting the Warriors. Golden State was shooting 48% and the Timberwolves 46% after two quarters.

As the third quarter came to an end the Warriors were really rolling. They contained Anthony clogging up the lane forcing Minnesota to take more three’s that were not falling. Minnesota had 6 from downtown while the Warriors had 16. Golden State stopped fouling taking a 95-81 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Timberwolves cut the Warriors lead in half before Golden State took back control leading by nine points with seven minutes left in the game. This game was going down to the wire with Towns heating back up and giving the Warriors all sorts of trouble.

The splash brothers came to the rescue giving the Warriors a 115-104 lead with four minutes left in the game. Although the Timberwolves made a run in the early fourth quarter Golden State would close out the game 124-115.

Curry was back with a monster game shooting for 29 points. Thompson had another high game since coming back with 23 points. “We know we haven’t been playing our best the past three weeks, but we dug ourselves out of it,” said Curry after the game.

This matchup had all the intensity of a playoff game giving us all a glimpse of what we can expect in the post- season.

Saturday night the Warriors will be playing the Brooklyn Nets at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.

Warriors Blow Dallas Off the Court 130-92

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) takes it to the basket against Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber (42) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Jan 25, 2020 (AP News photo)

Warriors Blow Dallas Off the Court 130-92

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (35-13) had yesterday off to catch their breath after barely beating the Utah Jazz on Sunday. Tonight they take on another power house, the Dallas Mavericks (27-22) led by Luca Doncic.

The good news for Golden State is that Klay Thompson has been cleared to play after missing last Fridays game against the Rockets and Sunday’s matchup against the Jazz. Despite missing Thompson the Warriors won both of those games, each of them by a single basket. Having Thompson back will bring a lot of energy to tonights game, creating yet another weapon that the Mavericks will have to defend.

The Warriors jumped out into the lead and by the end of the first quarter led 29-20. The quarter was close and it was not until the final 90 seconds that the Warriors began to extend their lead. The Warriors really started to pull ahead in the second quarter and by the half led 63-51.

There was a tough break in the half when Tim Hardaway Jr came down hard on his foot and was helped off the floor. He had brought a lot of energy for Dallas scoring ten points in ten minutes and losing him was a blow for the Mavericks.

After evaluation Hardaway’s injury was a broken metatarsal. The Mavericks were doing their best to take Stephen Curry out of the game. Curry was still able to play around defenders scoring 11 points in the first half. Klay Thompson also had 11 points in the half, three of them from downtown.

The Warriors were having a great offensive game against one of the best defensive teams in the league. Through three quarters the Warriors were shooting 55%. They finished the third quarter leading 97-78. Second chance points and bench points were a big part of this lead for Golden State.

Going into the fourth quarter the Mavericks would do their best to have a run at the Warriors. Considering the energy that Golden State was playing with it would be a major challenge for Dallas. The Warriors would have a 7-0 run to start the final quarter.

With five minutes left in the game for all intensive purposes this game was over. The Warriors had rendered the Mavericks helpless and there was not a thing that Dallas could do about it. The final was 130-92

There is a lot of talk about the slump that Curry is in right now but there is more to Steph than his electric shots. What about the shots he is creating for his team mates, what about his 7 assists and 9 rebounds. There is more to Curry than his shooting ability, a whole lot more.

This was a complete win offensively and defensively for the Warriors from the starters right down to the bench. Everyone contributed. 71 points came off the bench and double digits from four starters. Curry finished with 18 points and off the bench Jonathan Kuminga had 22 points followed by Jordan Poole with 17 points. Kevon Looney continued his brilliant defensive play with 9 rebounds.

On Thursday night the Warriors will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Klay Thompson and Draymond Green injury updates; plus more

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Golden State Warriors guard Jordan Poole (3) takes a shot against Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) in the first half at the Chase Center on Sun Jan 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Talk about Draymond Green and Klay Thompson’s injury updates.

#2 The Warriors really started hitting those threes and limiting the turnovers against the Jazz.

#3 The Warriors will be meeting the Jazz again Feb 9. This could be an even tougher game than Sunday’s game was.

#4 Next up for the Warriors will be the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday. How do you see this game.

Barbara Mason does the Golden State Warriors podcasts Mondays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Warriors edge Jazz 94-92

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left, tries to get the ball to the basket against Utah Jazz guard Mike Conley at the Chase Center on Sun Jan 23, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Edge Jazz 94-92

By Barbara Mason

After winning a buzzer beater courtesy of Stephen Curry Friday night against the Houston Rockets, Golden State (34-13) was back at Chase hosting the Utah Jazz (30-17) on Saturday night. This will be a tough game for the Warriors and they cannot afford the turnovers and the missed open shots that we have seen lately. The Warriors would just get by the Jazz 94-92.

The Jazz will play without Donovan Mitchell tonight out on concussion protocol but will have Rudy Gobert available despite some ankle soreness. Mike Conley is playing probably the best of his career and so the Warriors will have their hands full.

Both of these teams depend heavily on shots from downtown. The Warriors have recently struggled with three point shots and will need to start making those starting tonight against Utah. The Jazz are the highest scoring team in the league and will give Golden State a run for their money.

The first quarter was a high energy start from both teams. The Warriors led at the end of one 33-29. The Warriors were shooting at 54% and the Jazz 53% in this evenly matched game. The Warriors had four from downtown and the Jazz shot five.

Damien Lee had a crazy first half going 4 of 5 from downtown. Early in the second quarter the Warriors had taken a ten point lead 39-29. Damien Lee was a big part of this Golden State lead. The Warriors were moving the ball beautifully keeping the Utah defense off balance. What hurt Golden State were the empty possessions. The Jazz fought back to pull within two points and nothing about this game was going to be easy for either team.

Both teams were playing at a high level and as expected it was raining three’s for both teams. At the half the Warriors led by a single point 55-54. The Warriors shot ten from downtown and the Jazz had seven from beyond the arc. Lee was the Warriors point leader with 12 points and the Jazz’s Bojan Bogdanovic led with 15 points.

The Warriors needed to slow down Bogdanovic in the second half. They were protecting the ball having only four turnovers in the first half. This was a great first half for Golden State but there was still a lot of ball to be played.

It would prove to be a wild second half going right down to the wire. With eight seconds left on the clock the Jazz took a shot trying to tie up this game but the Warrior defense denied Utah. Golden State would win their second game in a row 94-92. The Warriors only scored eleven points in the fourth quarter but managed to come away with the win. The Jazz had a low scoring fourth as well with 17 points but just came up short.

Every starter for Golden State shot double digits, Poole being the high score with 20 points. Bogdanovic was the high for Utah with 21 points. This was a great win for the Warriors. The three’s starting dropping and the turnovers were kept to a minimum. This was exactly what the Warriors needed to win this game and they sure delivered.

Tuesday night the Warriors will take on the Mavericks at Chase. This will be another tough team with a lot of talent and it will be another exciting game. It seems as if Golden State really rises to the occasion when it comes to elite teams. Can the Warriors make it three in a row? We will find out Tuesday night. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Golden State Warriors game wrap: Curry hits game winner to beat Rockets 105-103

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Curry Hits Game Winner to Beat Rockets 105-103

Things to do and places to go for Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry, left chases after the basketball after committing a foul on Houston Rockets guard Kevin Porter Jr. (3) at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Fri Jan 21, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Warriors (32-13) were still reeling from the loss last night to the Pacers when they went right into a back-to- back game against the Houston Rockets (14-32). The Rockets are a young team with amazing energy featuring Christian Wood and Kevin Porter Jr. The Warriors came away winning a thrilling just getting by the Rockets 105-103 at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Friday night.

Houston had a miserable start to the season but have picked it up and have won three of their last four games. Friday night the Rockets were aiming to make it four wins of their last five games at the expense of the Warriors.

After Thursday night’s game Golden State was looking to protect the ball and execute. Turnovers and miserable execution were their undoing.

The Rockets started the first quarter with amazing energy, and a strong fast start. They led30-24 after one. The ball movement for Golden State was sluggish and the turnovers horrendous.

In the second quarter it was more of the same for Golden State. They had 12 turnovers in the half and Houston scored 17 points off those turnovers. Execution was awful with the Warriors only scoring 43 points in the first half.

Playing this poorly against the worst defensive team in the league was not going to win many games. Houston’s Wood and Porter Jr. had really good quarters to start this game both with 12 points in the half. Houston led 54-43 after two quarters.

Forty-three points in a half for the Warriors is unimaginable for a team that customarily scores well over a hundred points a game. Golden State had a lot of work to do in the second half.

Golden State started the third quarter with more turnovers and they had to start taking this game possession by possession. Trailing by 15 points Stephen Curry and company needed points and stops. Mid-way through the quarter the Warriors got those points and those stops trimming the Rocket’s lead to 63-62.

The Warriors kept their foot on the pedal and with some greatly improved execution managed to stay on pace with Houston. After three quarters this game was about as tight as a game could be tied at 76. Golden State won the quarter 33-22.

The Warriors three’s were falling in the fourth quarter but they desperately needed stops. The shots that Houston was missing in the third quarter started hitting in the final quarter. It would come down to execution and stops in this game.

Houston started taking more three’s than Golden State and they were making them. With the score tied at 103, the Warriors had 5.1 seconds left to win this game. (There was exactly 5.1 on the clock in last night’s game) The baby-faced assassin Curry hit a two and the Warriors won 105-103 in this marathon. It was crunch time and Curry came through as he has so many times in the past.

Kevon Looney would finish with 12 rebounds. Curry had two pts which included the game winner and Jordan had twenty points. It just was another game winner for Curry. The entire team had to grind it out and they did just that.

Sunday the Warriors take on the Utah Jazz with a 5:30 PM tipoff.

Pacers Shock Golden State 121-117 in OT; Warriors lose six of last nine games

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Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry (left) and Klay Thompson (right) go over some strategy to try and defeat the Indianapolis Pacers at the Chase Center in San Francisco on Thu Jan 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Pacer’s Shock Golden State 121-117

Thursday night the Golden State Warriors (32-13) had their 400th sell-out as they took on the Indiana Pacers (17-29). The Pacers are at the end of a back to back and unfortunately for Indiana they are four players short. They did have a win over the Lakers last night but lost a number of players in that game including Caris Levert who shot for 30 points.

The Pacers had their hands full in this game against the NBA leaders in defensive efficiency. The Pacers have lost ten of their last twelve games and with so many players sidelined a win will be a stretch for Indiana.

In the first quarter, the Pacers were able to keep up with Golden State. They came out with a lot of energy and would have to work hard to sustain that energy. Jonathan Kuminga had a great start to this game and continues to amaze. He was 5-6 from the free-throw line. Kevon Looney has had 10+rebounds in his last three game and already had four in the first quarter as did Kuminga. The Warriors led after one 30-23.

Despite being depleted the Pacers continued to play hard into the second quarter. The largest lead that the Warriors were able to establish was eight points. Coach Kerr gave a lot of minutes to the bench and after two quarters five bench players had entered the game. Kevon Looney had 9 rebounds and 9 points in the first half leading the team to a 63-55 half-time lead.

At 8:26 in the third quarter the feisty Pacers took the lead for the first time in the game 68-66. 14 turnovers in the game, too many of them in the third, did the Warriors no favors. After three quarters this game was tied at 83. A lot of credit to Indiana who looked nothing like a team who’s roster was depleted.

It got to be very tense in the fourth quarter. The Pacer’s Goga Bitadze was ejected with his second technical in a close encounter with Gary Payton. The Warriors continued with the turnovers giving the Pacers a four point lead 100-96 with under six minutes left in the game. Golden State had to start protecting the ball. As the quarter came to an end this game would go into overtime with the score tied 110 apiece.

More turnovers in overtime, and momentum in favor of the Pacers gave Indiana the shocking win 121-117. It was a tremendous effort by the Indiana Pacers. They took the perimeter away from Golden State taking away a lot of those three point attempts. The Warriors were even missing open three point attempts.

Stephen Curry finished the game with 39 points and once again Looney had a 10+rebound game and 13 points. There were just too many missed open shots and turnovers. This was one of the most difficult losses for the Warriors this season.

Tomorrow night the Warriors will be taking on the Houston Rockets. Tipoff is schedule for 7:00 PM.

Warriors Back On Track With Win Over Pistons 102-86

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Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) goes for the jump shot against the Detroit Pistons guard Corey Joseph (18) at Chase Center in San Francisco on Tue Jan 18, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Back On Track With Win Over Pistons 102-86

By Barbara Mason

After a most discouraging four game road trip, the Golden State Warriors (32-12) are back home for a seven game home stand. The Warriors lost three of the four games they played on this road trip. They lost to the Timberwolves, the Bucks and the Grizzlies: the only win being a punishing victory over the Bulls 138-96. Well they got another win punishing the Detroit Pistons (10-33) on Tuesday night at the Chase Center in San Francisco 102-86.

There is a lot of good news for the Warriors in tonight’s game. Of course being home is a plus, but the team will also have not only Stephen Curry back on the court but also Gary Payton II.

Payton’s status was upgraded from questionable to probable. He shared duties off the bench with Jordan Poole for extended minutes. The prediction for this game gives the Pistons less than a ten percent chance to win the game.

In the absence of Draymond Green, Jonathan Kuminga got the chance to start in this game tonight. He has earned it and will now get the experience of starting with Curry and Klay Thompson. He needed to continue to run the floor and keep it simple. He has been playing at a very high level and hopes to continue at the same pace against the Pistons.

After one quarter the Warriors had established a nice lead 33-22. They were shooting at 52% and had knocked down 6 of 10 from downtown. Andrew Wiggins had 9 points and Kevon Looney already had 8 rebounds in 9 minutes of play.

At the the half the Warriors led 66-38. The splash brothers had combined for 31 points, 21 of them from downtown. Thompson had a new high in a half with 17 points since returning to action. The Pistons Isaiah Stewart shot for 14 shots but his team just could not keep up with the Warriors. The ball movement, the three’s, the efficiency, and ball control were all working for Golden State.

Although the Pistons made a move in the second half it was too little too late. This game was all but finished at half time. The Warriors had built a tremendous lead that was insurmountable. The final was 102-86. The Warriors had won their 19th home game of the season.

Kuminga had his first double double of his career in this game. He finished with 10 rebounds and 12 points. Thompson had his best game yet since his return finishing with 21 points. Thompson certainly looks nothing like a player that has missed two plus years of basketball. It is nothing short of amazing. It was great to see the splash brothers back in action again. All in all the entire roster had a nice game after a tough stretch last week.

Thursday night the Warriors will play the Indiana Pacers in their only meeting at Chase. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM

Golden State Warriors podcast with Barbara Mason: Towns carries Timberwolves to finish line to beat Golden State

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Minnesota Timberwolves leading scorer center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) takes a shot over Golden State Warriors forward Otto Porter Jr. (32) at the Target Center in Minneapolis on Sun Jan 16, 2022 (AP News photo)

On the Warriors podcast with Barbara:

#1 Barbara, the Minnesota Timberwolves Karl Anthony-Towns was the key difference in the Timberwolves win over the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night at the Target Center 119-99 scoring 26 points and getting 11 rebounds.

#2 The Timberwolves Jaylen Nowell (17 pts) and Malik Beasley had (16 pts) both combined for five three pointers in the second half also making a big difference in beating Golden State.

#3 The Warriors allowed the Timberwolves to score 40-19 against them in the closing 16 minutes of the game and the defense simply looked out of place compared to other games where the Warriors had success.

#4 The Warriors who were without Stephen Curry and Draymond Green really depended on Jordan Poole (20 pts) and Jonathan Kuminga (19 pts) the Warriors dropped their fifth game out seven on Sunday.

#5 The Warriors trail the Phoenix Suns by 2 1/2 games in the Western Conference, Klay Thompson had 13 points on Sunday how much will the Warriors be leaning on Thompson on night when Curry and Green are out of the line up like they were Sunday?

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