Tag: Golden State Warriors

Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (11) takes a three points shot over the out stretched arm of the Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) during the fourth game of the NBA Western Conference Finals at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on Tue May 24, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Come Up Short Against Dallas 119-109

By Barbara Mason

Tuesday evening the Golden State Warriors (3-1) took on the Dallas Mavericks (1-3) at American Airlines Center. This is a tale of two teams. The Mavericks had faced a must win situation not having won a single game in this series.

There was no room for error for Dallas: it was win big or go home. Golden State had a completely different scenario. They needed to win one more game to move onto the NBA Finals. Golden State had everything going for them going into game 4 but it was not to be for the Warriors losing game 4 119-109.

Game 4 recap: In the first quarter, Dallas had a much different start then they did in Game Three. They were aggressive, disciplined and accurate. As the first 12 minutes expired Dallas held a 28-24 lead. The long ball was right on point for the Mavericks.

Dallas would pour it on in the second quarter. They were piling up three’s and had extended their lead 56-42 with three minutes left in the first half. It was the kind of game that we fully expected to see from Dallas. This was not a team that would roll over. The Mavs led at the half 52-47.

In a crazy turn the third quarter was delayed when American Airlines Center popped a leak. Dallas was experiencing a severe thunder storm and there were a number of leaks some of which found their way onto the court.

When the third quarter finally got underway it continued to rain on the court, raining three’s for Dallas that is. The Mavericks could not miss in the paint or beyond the arc as they continued to build their lead.

The only Warrior with double digits mid-way through the third quarter was Stephen Curry in a real lackluster game for Golden State. It was so lopsided that it was almost shocking when the Mavericks actually missed a shot. They had 19 three’s in the game so far and only five turnovers leading 99-70.

There was a real shift in the fourth quarter for the Warriors. The Mavericks began to miss shots and the Warriors had cut a 29 point Maverick lead to 16 with six minutes left in the game.

The Warriors continued to push trailing by ten points with 1:45 left in the game 115-105. The Warriors had made an amazing run in the fourth quarter of this game losing. It was just too little too late for Golden State.

Curry finished the game with 20 points and the bench was great with Moses Moody, Jordan Poole and Jonathan Kuminga all shooting in double digits. The Warriors came up just short in this game. They stumbled in the second and third quarters and that proved to be irreparable for the team.

The Mavericks had pushed a Game Five this Thursday at Chase Center. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

Here the Dallas Mavericks bench chose to stand for much of game 2 in this Fri May 20, 2022 photo at Chase Center in San Francisco where they were fined for bench violations in games 1, 2, and 3 as if they didn’t have enough problems trying to win a game against the Golden State Warriors in the current third round NBA Western Conference Finals (AP News photo)

On the Warrior podcast with Barbara:

#1 If problems haven’t compounded for the Dallas Mavericks who are now on the brink of elimination down 3-0 to the Golden State Warriors after a game 3 loss on Sunday night the Mavericks were fined by the NBA $100,000 for a third bench violation. Dallas players were either standing too long or coming onto or near the court. Fines doubled each time starting at $25,000, $50,000 and now $100,000 after Sunday’s game.

#2 Barbara, knowing how Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is animated, vocal and involved on the sidelines of his team is he the type of owner that will roll heads if the Mavericks were to get swept in this series?

#3 There was no stopping the Golden State Warriors Stephen Curry who scored 31 points and Andrew Wiggins who had 27 points that pretty much froze out the Mavericks in the second half of the game.

#4 For the Mavericks Luka Doncic he had to carry most of the weight scoring a team leading 41 points while teammate Spencer Dinwiddie was a distant second in scoring with 26 points.

#5 It’s either win big or go home for the Mavericks in game 4 on Tuesday night as Dallas has their last chance to defeat Golden State on their home floor. Meanwhile the Warriors have lots of confidence entering what could be the final game of this third round of playoffs.

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

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) is fouled by Dallas Mavericks forward Maxi Kleber, rear, during game 3 of the NBA Western Conference Finals at American Airlines Center in Dallas on Sun May 22, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Take A Commanding Series Lead 3-0

By Barbara Mason

The Golden State Warriors (3-0) traveled to Dallas to take on the Mavericks (0-3) in Game Three of the Western Conference Finals on Sunday. The Warriors came out of it with a 109-100 win in Dallas to move up in the series 3-0 and are on the brink of sweeping the series.

The Warriors came out in the first quarter with great energy jumping to a 14-7 lead early. They went on a 10-0 run in the first quarter before Dallas really got going.

Luka Doncic would finish the quarter with a 32-foot three pointer. After the first 12 minutes the Warriors held a slim 25-22 lead. The Mavericks had really heated up as the clock ran out on the first quarter.

The Maverick’s took a lead early in the second quarter. Both teams were struggling from downtown shooting at 22%. Dallas would jump to a nine point lead in the second but Golden State would fight back to take a 48-47 lead into the locker room.

The Warriors would lose Otto Porter Jr. in the quarter who went to the locker room for x-rays on his left foot. This was a significant loss for the Warriors. Porter has been an essential part of Golden State’s success in the past two games offensively and defensively. He was unable to return to the game.

The Warriors began to have turnover issues and coupled with struggles shooting in the second quarter they could not get away with poor ball control going forward.

The Warriors extended their lead in the third quarter leading after three 78-68. Golden State had outscored Dallas 30-21 in the quarter. It would all come down to the fourth quarter for the Warriors. Ball control and execution would decide this game.

The Warriors took a 14 point lead in the fourth quarter. The Mavericks continued to fight trimming the lead to eight but Golden State relentlessly pushed back. Jordan Poole made two crucial long shots to ice this game.

Dallas had trouble shooting the ball in the final quarter and desperately needed stops which just didn’t happen. Golden State had taken a commanding 3-0 lead in the series winning.

Stephen Curry finished with 31 points. Andrew Wiggins and Klay Thompson rounded out the top numbers, Wiggins with 27 and Thompson with 19.

The two long balls in the final minutes from Poole made all the difference. This was an amazing team effort. Offensive rebounding was just one more plus for Golden State. Kevon Looney finished with 12 rebounds and Wiggins with 11.

The Warriors will play game four on Tuesday night looking to finish off Dallas in game four.. Tipoff is scheduled for 6:00 PM.

The Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (11) takes a shot against the Golden State Warriors forward Andrew Wiggins (22) in the first half of action at the Chase Center in San Francisco in game 2 of the NBA Western Conference Finals on Fri May 20, 2022 (AP News photo)

Warriors Take A 2-0 Series Lead In A Thriller 126-117

By Barbara Mason

Going into Game Two of the Western Conference Finals the Golden State Warriors fully expected to see a different Dallas Mavericks Luka Doncic but they did not expect to see a right shoulder injury coupled with battling a terrible 24 hour flu that kept him up all Wednesday night. This guy is a fighter and he started in Friday night’s game although not at 100%. Doncic’s issues helped Golden State win their second straight against the Mavericks in game 2 at Chase Center 126-117.

Game 2 recap: Two minutes into the first quarter Warrior Head Coach Steve Kerr called a timeout not liking what he was seeing defensively. They gave up three open shots to the Mavericks resulting in the early Dallas lead. The Mavericks led 8-2 and Dallas was already shooting better to start the game then in game one.

Four minutes into the game turnovers were already hurting the Warriors. Doncic gave the Warriors the answer early as to his physical condition. He was two off four from downtown and six of nine on two-point shots. When Luca has 18 points in the first quarter that spells big trouble. Dallas led after one 32-25.

The second quarter was a medley of terrible calls. The Warriors were concentrating on these lousy calls rather than being wrapped up in the game. Turnovers were numerous and the Mavericks capitalized on just about all to them.

The Mavericks led at the half 72-58. Luca finished the first half with 24 points and Jalen Brunson had a great start with 20 points. Doncic already had more points then he had in the entirety of game one.

The Warriors trailed by as much as 19 points in the first half and had cut into that deficit a bit by half time. Stephen Curry really heated up in the later minutes finishing with 20 points. Golden State would need a lot more in the second half from Klay Thompson who only had 6 points and Jordan Poole with seven points.

Golden State really cut into the Maverick’s lead in the third quarter trailing by five points with 2:12 left in the quarter 81-76. After three quarters the Mavericks saw their lead cut to two points 85-83.

The Warrior had held Brunson to three points and Doncic to four. It all hinged on the fourth quarter. Golden State had outscored Dallas in the third quarter 25-13.

In the fourth quarter the Warriors took their first lead in the game 86-85. With 2:25 Draymond Green fouled out of the game. Golden State led with 2:07 left in the game 119-112.

The Mavericks just could not get any stops in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Golden State had taken a 2-0 lead in the series.

The Warriors had 38 points in the paint in a brilliant second half. Kevon Looney had a career high with 21 points and 12 rebounds. “In the third quarter I was able to hold my own. Getting those stops is always a boost,” said Looney after the game.

When you win a game with Doncic scoring 42 points you know that you played with offensive and defensive excellence.

Curry had the team high with 32 points and off the bench it was a “Poole Party” with Jordan dropping in 23 points.

Despite the continued chants from the fans “refs you suck” the sucky refs were not able to deny the Warriors this win. It was horrible officiating in the game.

Golden State will now travel to Dallas to get a taste of the fans at American Airlines Center. They will be gunning for a 3-0 series lead. Tipoff is schedule for 6:00 PM.