Tag: Golden State

Warriors Match Single-Season Franchise Wins Mark

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

Stephen Curry continued his barnstorming campaign to win the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award Friday night, dropping 38 points on the Memphis Grizzlies to lead the Golden State Warriors to the 107-84 victory. The Western Conference leaders now have eighth-straight wins and have matched the franchise record for wins in a single season.

Curry went 12-for-22 from the field in 34 minutes of play, nailing 8 treys out of 12 attempted to push the Warriors passed the number two team in the conference handedly. The All-star guard also dished out 10 assists.

Klay Thomspon pitched in 28 points while Andrew Bogut matched Memphis’ Jeff Green with a game-high 8 rebounds. Green also topped the Grizzlies (50-21) with 16 points coming off the bench.

The Warriors (59-13) forced 19 Memphis turnovers while out-boarding one of the Association’s physical elite 43-40. Memphis did outshoot Golden State on its home court, shooting 44.7 percent to the Warriors’ 43.3.

The Warriors held a 7-point lead after the opening 12 minutes, putting up 31 points to Memphis’ 24. The Grizzlies cut into the Dubs lead with a 25-23 second quarter but a dominant third frame put Golden State up big. The Warriors scored 31 while limiting Memphis to 16 for an 85-65. The Dubs closed the game out with a 22-19 fourth for the 107-84 final score.

After the contest, the Warriors hopped on a flight for Milwaukee. They take on the Bucks in the second game of a back-to-back Saturday night, looking for win number nine in a row against a Bucks team hovering around the .500 mark.

Curry’s Health Not In Question After 32-Point Night Against Wizards

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

All it took was one game for Stephen Curry to alleviate Warriors fan’s concerns about a foot injury. After missing Golden State’s previous contest, the All-Star guard returned with authority Tuesday night against the Washington Wizards. On the road at the Verizon Center Curry collected a game-high 32 points over 33 minutes of play, leading the Warriors (44-10) to a 114-197 win over their Eastern Conference foe.

The dark horse candidate for Most Valuable Player hit 11 of 18 field goals, including 5 of 9 from three-point land to lead the Dubs. Curry also came a pair of assists shy of a double-double. Washington’s Marcin Gortat (16 points, 11 rebounds) and John Wall (16 points, 11 assists) each earned double-doubles, while Paul Pierce scored a team-high 25 points.

For the Warriors, David Lee pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds but Golden State lost the board battle 45-29. The Dubs hit exactly half the shots they took, connecting on 45 attempts, while the Wizards shot 53.2 percent from the field. The biggest difference came in turnovers, with the Warriors defense forcing 26 turnovers out of their opponent while coughing up the rock on a miscue just 9 times.

Washington scored the first nine consecutive points of the contest but Golden State outscored them 30-19 to close out the first half up 30-28. The Warriors wouldn’t trail for the rest of the first half, heading to the locker room up 54-51.

The Wizards scored 22 of the first 40 points of the second half to take their first 2nd half lead 73-72 with just over five minutes left in the third, but Golden State wound up back on top 86-83 heading into the final 12 minutes. From there, the Warriors outscored the Wizards 28-24 to hand Washington (33-24) its fourth straight loss.

Curry’s next test of the foot comes in a prime match-up against the league’s best super star. LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers host the Warriors Thursday night on national television, with the game being broadcast on TNT.

Warriors Stop Sixers Streak at 4

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

It wasn’t quite the romp one would expect, but the Golden State Warriors did prevail 89-84 against the 76ers in Philadelphia Monday night. Despite an off night from the Splash Brothers (if 33 combined points can be considered “off”), the Dubs ended the Sixers four-game win streak while handing the surefire lottery pick candidates a 41st loss on the season.
Former Sixers Andre Igoudala (13 points) and Marreese Speights (10) provided critical depth off the bench on a night when Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson hit a combined 11 of 34 shots.

The Splash Brothers finished with only 4 three-pointers on 18 attempts, but Curry still managed a team-best 20 points. Thompson finished with 13. Leandro Barbosa provided the lift for the Warriors, with the reserve guard collecting 16 points in just under 20 minutes of work. The Sixers Robert Covington scored a game-best 21.

Philadelphia (12-41) led 24-20 after 12 minutes, but trailed by two 46-44 at the half. The Warriors opened up the final 24 minutes on an 8-2 run to build a lead they would all the way down to finish, leading by as much as ten points at one point.

The Warriors earned at least a .500 record during their four-game road trip with victories over the Sixers and Knicks. The capper would be a triumph over a struggling Minnesota Timberwolves squad Wednesday night to run the Warriors (41-9) record to 3-1 on the away set. The trip began with a 124-116 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.

Warriors Squeak Past Celtics Thanks to Thompson’s Encore

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

What would Klay Thompson do for an encore after dropping 37 points in a quarter Friday night? The All-star hopeful didn’t quite replicate the matching and drop 40 over 12 minutes, but he did produce a game-high 31 points to lead the Golden State Warriors to a 114-111 win over the Boston Celtics Sunday at Oracle Arena.

One game after setting the NBA points record in a quarter against the Sacramento Kings, Thompson hit 11 of 19 field goals (including three three-pointers) over 32 minutes to help the Dubs (36-6) extend their home winning streak to 19.
Thompson didn’t shoulder the burden alone. Fellow Splash Brother Stephen Curry picked up his 15th double-double, scoring 22 while dishing out 11 assists. Andrew Bogut joined curry for a double double-double, scoring 13 while pulling down a game-best 13 rebounds.

The Celtics (15-27) rode a near double-double from Jared Sullinger to remain in contention against the NBA’s best. The former Ohio State Buckeye worked the Warriors defense for 26 points but came a rebound shy of double-digit totals. Guard Evan Turner produced an efficient shooting night, hitting 7 of 12 attempted shots from the floor for 19 points.

After taking a 3-2 lead, the Warriors never trailed in the first quarter, but couldn’t extend the lead more than seven points, ultimately settling for a 30-23 first quarter edge. The second quarter was more of the same with the tenacious Celtics hanging around to trail 56-49 at the half.

The Warriors appeared to be putting their potential draft lottery-pick bound opponents away, staking out as much as a twelve-point lead after an Andre Iguodala layup put the Warriors ahead 86-74, closing out the quarter ahead 89-77. The Celtics made the Warriors sweat it out though, scoring 34 fourth-quarter points to the Warriors 25, pulling one possession away from a chance to tie.

With a victory nearly stolen, the Warriors now face a tough test in the visiting Chicago Bulls. If the Warriors want to make it 20-straight at home, they’ll have to top the Central Division’s best Tuesday night at Oracle Arena.

Warriors Bury Nuggets, Win 16th Conescutive Home Game

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

James Michael McAdoo’s loyalty to the Golden State Warriors has paid off, possibly far sooner than the forward expected.

Just hours after singing a 10-day contract with the Warriors, McAdoo found himself on the court at Oracle Arena.
The former North Carolina Tar Heel started the season in training camp with the Warriors after going undrafted, but was ultimately waived as the Dubs trimmed their roster.

With multiple NBA offers on the table thanks to his impressive play with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the D-League, the talented 22-year-old opted to return to the team that first put faith in him. In return, the coach Steve Kerr inserted him into the rotation during today’s 122-79 blowout of the Denver Nuggets.

McAdoo saw just 12:37 of game-time, collecting 11 points in his NBA Debut, but wasn’t asked to do the heavy lifting. That responsibility fell to the Splash Brothers, and deliver they did.
Stephen Curry (20 points) and Klay Thompson (22) combined for 42 points. The duo each went 7-for-13 shooting.
Reserves Leandro Barbosa and Shaun Livingston chipped in 12 points apiece. As a team, the Warriors hit an impressive 54.3 percent shooting.

The Nuggets (18-23), losers of three-straight, scuffled in the face of the Warriors defensive presence, shooting just 34.5 percent from the field for the night. Golden State’s stout defending handed the home team a 55-28 lead at the half, allowing the Warriors to cruise through the final two quarters for the romp. The Nuggets cracked 20-plus points in only one quarter, scoring 32 in the third, while being held to 15, 13 and 19 points in the other three periods.

With the win, the Warriors (33-6) have now matched the franchise record in consecutive home wins with 16. The NBA-leadings Dubs get a chance to break the tie Wednesday night when they welcome the Houston Rockets to Oracle Arena.

Fab Five: Warriors Sweep Five-Game Road Trip With Win Over Detroit

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

Make it a perfect five for the Golden State Warriors, who completed an undefeated quintuple-city road trip Sunday with a 104-93 win against the Detroit Pistons. Saginaw, Michigan Native Draymond Green collected a team-leading 20 points for Golden State. The Michigan State alum hit 5 of 8 from beyond the three-point line. Marreese Speights followed up his Friday night breakout with a 12-rebound performance to hand the Warriors (14-2) their ninth-straight victory.

The Pistons (3-14), losers of eight straight, took a 24-21 lead in the first, but the Warriors dominated the second fourth of play with a 32-16 run to etch out a 53-40 halftime lead. The Pistons cut the lead by two following a 31-2 scoring edge in the third, but 22 points a side allowed the Dubs to cruise to the 104-93 win.

As a team, the Warriors shot 46.8 percent from the field. They limited the hosts to only 33 of 91 from the field for a 36.3 shooting percentage. Golden State turned the ball over 16 times, but went to the free throw line 27 times, hitting 21 from behind the charity stripe. The Motor City side struggled from behind the line, hitting just 16 of 24 free throws.

The Pistons back court combo of Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (23) and Brandon Jennings (22) combined for almost half the Pistons’ points. Pitching in along with Green for the Warriors were Stephen Curry’s 16 points over a limited 28 minutes and Klay Thompson’s 15. Curry collected a double-double, dishing out 10 assists, but left the game early with a sore left ankle. X-rays taken Sunday were negative.

The Warriors return home for a brief two-game homestand, starting with Tuesday night’s tilt against the Orlando Magic then a Thursday showdown with Anthony Davis and the Pelicans. After that, the road beckons once more, with the Warriors starting a two-game roadie against the Chicago Bulls.

Speights’ Fourth Quarter Onslaught Takes Sting Out Of Hornets

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

The Golden State Warriors stayed scolding hot, coming from behind 106-101 on the road against the Charlotte Hornets for their eight-straight victory. Marreese Speights topped the Warriors (13-2) with 27 points, including 16 in the fourth quarter, to salvage the Dubs chances on a night when the starting five under performed.

Speights hit 12 of 20 field goals, was a perfect three for three from the free throw line and added five rebounds in 23 minutes of work against the overmatched Hornets (4-13). The Warriors needed every ounce of effort considering Stephen Curry hit only 1 of 10 three pointers in his 26-point homecoming performance. Fellow Splash Brother Klay Thompson also struggled, going 7 for 22 from the floor.

As a team, the Warriors hit 42 of 99 attempts, but went 15 for 16 from the charity stripe. Brian Roberts was the only Hornet to crack the teens in scoring, collecting only 20 points. Center Al Jefferson pitched in 18 points, while Cody Zeller added 15. Zeller completed the double-double on his 14 rebounds. Warriors starters Draymond Green (10) and Harrison Barnes (9) led the visitors in boards.

Golden State found themselves ahead 28-24 after one quarter, but were outscored 31-21 in the second to find themselves down 55-49 at the half. The differential didn’t change after 36 minutes of play were in the books with both teams producing 25-point third quarters. Speights’ huge fourth quarter capped a 32-21 Warriors fourth quarter run for the victory.

The Warriors take Saturday off for travel, heading to Detroit for a Sunday showdown with the Pistons. A win in Motown would make Golden State a perfect 5-0 on its current road trip. They’ll return home for a pair midweek before hitting the road again for a Saturday matchup with the Chicago Bulls.

Warriors Last of the Unbeatens Left Standing

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

The list of the unbeaten in the NBA has been trimmed down to one. In a battle of teams with unblemished records, the Golden State Warriors topped the hosting Houston Rockets 98-87. Stephen Curry collected a double-double, scoring a game-high 34 points for the Warriors while reeling in 10 rebounds.

Curry hit 13 of 19 field goals and dished out five assists to hand the Rockets (6-1) their first loss of the 2014-15 season. Andre Iguodala pitched in 15 points off the bench while starter Draymond Green collected 14.

The Dubs (5-0) turned in their best defensive performance to date this year, holding the rockets to a .349 shooting percentage. Houston hit only 30 of 86 shots attempted. James Harden (22 points) and Isaiah Canaan (21 points) topped the Rockets in scoring.

The Rockets managed to outscore the Warriors 56-48 in the first half before the Warriors turned on the defense. The Dubs allowed a scant 21 points down the final 24 minutes while scoring 50 of their own for the victory.

Golden State puts its perfect record on the line in the second game of a back-to-back against in Phoenix Sunday. The Suns have played .500 basketball this season, winning three and losing three.

Warriors Continue Undefeated Preseason, Romp Lakers

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By Matthew T.F. Harrington

The preseason continues to be an unmitigated success for the Golden State Warriors following a 116-75 romp of the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday evening from Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif.

Stephen Curry had a game-high 25 points for the Warriors, while fellow starters Klay Thompson (16)and David Lee (14) cracked double-digit scoring for the Dubs as well. The bench combined for 50 total points, led by Marreese Speights’ 11.

The Warriors held Kobe Bryant to just 3-of-13 shooting for a total of six points. Guard Wayne Ellington and center Robert Sacre topped the Lakers with 12 points apiece, with both players coming off the bench for their team-leading totals. Los Angeles starter Jordan Hill matched Warriors center Andrew Bogut with seven rebounds each.

Golden State lit up the hosts early, scoring just one point shy of 40 in the first quarter. The Warriors outscored the Lakers 24-23 in the second quarter to take a 63-36 lead at the midway point. Another 35-plus point quarter but the Dubs up 100-60 with three segments in the books. Neither team lit up the score sheet in the final fourth, with Golden State outpacing the Lakers 16-15 down the stretch to finish up the blowout.

Andre Iguodala, who had his nose broken in a game against these same Lakers on Thursday, played in a protective facemask. He once again starred in a preseason play that may call attention after Ronnie Price came out of his shoe trying to defend the Warriors point guard. Price tossed his shoe non-maliciously at Iguodala in an attempt to knock the ball loose.

The Warriors now roll on to Des Moines, Iowa where they will take on the Denver Nuggets. The October 16th contest will be played at the Wells Fargo Arena.

Curry’s Triple-Double, Romping of Lakers Clinches Playoff Berth for Warriors

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By Matthew Harrington

The Golden State Warriors locked in their spot in the 2014 NBA Playoffs Friday night at the Staples Center, riding a Stephen Curry triple-double to a 112-95 dismantling of the host Los Angeles Lakers. By matching or outscoring the Lakers (25-54) in all but one quarter the Dubs clinched their second-consecutive playoff berth under coach Mark Jackson and their first back-to-back postseason qualifications since 1992.

Warriors All-Star Curry fired off 30 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds over 34 minutes for his fifth-career triple-double. Klay Thompson and reserve Marreese Speights finished with 16 points apiece. David Lee joined Curry in double-digit rebounded with 10 boards.

Nick Young paced the forum purple with 25 points, and Jordan Hill and Ryan Kelly pitched in 18 and 14 respectively. Hill also had a game-high 12 points.

Golden State (49-30) nailed 48.9 percent of shots attempted, including a 13-for-25 clip from beyond the arc. The injury-riddled Lakers hit 39.3 percent of their field goals including only 9-of-28 from downtown. The Warriors dominated the glass with 57 rebounds to LA’s 42.

Both sides finished the first 12 minutes with 26 points. The Warriors rode a huge second quarter to pull ahead 58-42, notching 32 second-quarter points to Los Angeles’ 17. Golden State survived a Lakers 26-25 third quarter scoring margin before finishing off the home team with a 29-26 run to wrap up a playoff bid.

For now, the Warriors sit 1.5 games ahead of the Dallas Mavericks for sixth-place in the Western Conference with Golden State boasting a game in hand. The Portland Trailblazers sit 2.5 games ahead of the Warriors with three games remaining for the Dubs meaning in all likelihood, Golden State will be returning to Los Angeles and the Staples Center to face the third-seed Clippers when the playoffs begin. For now, the task at hand for Jackson’s side is a showdown with the Blazers on Sunday in Portland before the second half of a back-to-back against Minnesota at Oracle. The Warriors then get a chance to wrap up the regular season with revenge against the Denver Nuggets, 100-99 winners in a April 10th showdown in Oakland.