Tag: NBA

Kings thankful after 119-110 defeat of the Jazz

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Photo credit: @SacramentoKings

By: London Marq 

Less than a week removed from reports that the Sacramento Kings’ front office were considering firing head coach Dave Joerger due to Marvin Bagley, the second overall pick from this year’s draft, not being in the starting lineup. The news put Kings fans and local media outlets on edge. After the best start to an NBA season in recent memory, this situation seemingly mirrored one four seasons ago when the Kings abruptly fired coach Mike Malone after starting the season 10-5. When the news broke about a possible firing of Joerger, the Kings were 8-8 with a number of meaningful wins under their belt and on pace to make a serious run to end the 12-year playoff drought.

Since then the Kings have won two games–one at home versus the triple-double machine Russell Westbrook and the Oklahoma City Thunder, and tonight, a huge win on the road against the defensive juggernaut Jazz. Kings general manager Vlade Divac announced before both of these games that Joerger’s job is safe, that the organization has complete confidence in him. That being said, nothing solves problems like winning does.

The Kings traveled into Vivint Smart Home Arena seeking revenge against the Utah Jazz, a team they have lost to earlier this season. The Kings came out like they wanted it. Two of the Kings’ surprise stars this season, Nemanja Bjelica and Iman Shumpert, each knocked down a shots from beyond the arc to open up the game, setting the tone you would want to start a game in front of a hostile crowd. De’Aaron Fox also came out of the locker room with a purpose. In the first 10 minutes, he stuffed his stat sheet with six points, five rebounds and five assists. The Kings would end the first quarter up by 13 as the Jazz failed to find a consistent rhythm.

In the second quarter, the Jazz would find some pace and the lead would be reduced to three, but they weren’t able to snag the lead as the Kings continued to play well on both sides of the ball. The Jazz were never able to get momentum as Donovan Mitchell (35 points, 3 assists) was forced to do all the heavy lifting. Buddy Hield, who seemed almost nonexistent in the first two quarters would show up right before half time with a huge three right before time expired, keeping the fire alive.

The Kings would be outscored in the third quarter, but the game remained close as Willie Cauley-Stein continued what is his hottest start to an NBA season in his young career. He would finish the game with 23 points and seven rebounds. The Jazz finally found the rhythm on offence with Joe Ingles (12 points, 7 assists) got into the mix. Despite all of the effort from the Jazz to keep the game close, they would still trail the Kings by one going into the fourth quarter, after Fox slashed to basket at the end of the third quarter to grab the lead back.

The Kings would ride that momentum and jumped out to a 17-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, a sight many Kings fans have seen before seemed to be unfolding as the Jazz began to mount a comeback, with a little bit of help from the refs. The Kings showing signs of growth, were able to fight the odds that never seem to be in their favor and hold onto the lead and mount a huge win against a strong team on the road.  

A huge win in the face of a possible coaching controversy, and the best defensive team in the NBA.They are playing intense, complimentary basketball on both sides of the ball. Something the Kings haven’t done in over a decade. Don’t look now, the Kings may be for real.

The Kings will play the Jazz in the final of three games between them this season in four days on November 25. With each team taking a win apiece, it’s sure to be quite the rematch with the winner taking home bragging rights.

The Kings defeated the Jazz 119-110. 

The Kings head to Oracle Arena to take on the Warriors on Saturday, November 24 at 5:30 pm PT.

Headline Sports podcast with London Marq: Rams-Chiefs set record for the ages; Will Warriors get back to normal?

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Photo credit: nfl.com

On the Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 Former Cal football quarterback Jared Goff had himself an evening on Monday Night Football in a razor close game against the Kansas City Chiefs a game for the ages as the LA Rams defeated the Chiefs 54-51 in the highest scoring game in MNF history. Goff passed for 413 yards, four touchdowns, and rushed for a touchdown.

#2 The Warriors, who have lost three straight games, and open a four-game homestand on Wednesday night. Is there concern about how they’ll fare as all the talk has been about the dissension on the team as to why this team is untracked?

#3 San Francisco Giants Team president Farhan Zaidi is still in his get to know you mode. Zaidi is still getting to know the players and front office staff is going through resumes and recommendation letters and emails for who he will decide to find as the new GM for the Giants.

#4 In a meeting this week during practice at the San Francisco 49ers (2-8), head coach Kyle Shanahan made it very clear to his players that their jobs were on the line and they had better get it together soon as the team prepares for their next game in Tampa Bay this Sunday after coming off a Monday Night Football loss on Nov. 12th to the New York Giants.

#5 The Oakland Raiders (2-8) lend a great deal of credit to their running backs, who carried for scores and yards, to help the Raiders in their razor close win over the Arizona Cardinals last Sunday 23-21. The two running backs of record to get some nice pats on the back Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington, who both combined for 84 yards and 20 carries in the Raiders’ win.

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

 

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast: Can snake-bitten Warriors shake off recent skid in upcoming four-game homestand?

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mercurynews.com photo: Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green, left, listens to coach Steve Kerr during the second half of an NBA basketball game against the Houston Rockets Thursday, Nov. 15, 2018, in Houston. The Rockets won 107-86.

On That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, you recently wrote that the Warriors, who were talent deep, have hit a brick wall and injuries have played a part in their three-game skid with Draymond Green and Stephen Curry both sitting out last game.

#2 Things have gotten so bad. The Warriors are depending on DeMarcus Cousins to save them if Kevin Durant bolts for another team after his contract runs out at the end of the season.

#3 How much did Green’s tirade on Monday, Nov. 12th in Oakland at Durant calling him a bitch multiple times and saying to Durant that if he wants to “leave than just leave.” Did this embarrassing display bring the Warriors down from that point?

#4  Steve Kerr said that the team is turning the ball over too much, can’t hit the free throws and are disastrous on the three pointer.

#5 Golden State opens a four-game homestand starting Wednesday night can they string wins against Oklahoma, Portland, Sacramento, and Orlando to put this losing streak behind them or is the residue from the Green-Durant spat still with this team?

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does News and Commentary each week at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Kings break losing skid with narrow, 117-113 home win over the Thunder

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By Morris Phillips

SACRAMENTO — Winning may be the ultimate goal, but for the emerging Sacramento Kings early wins have created expectations and differences of opinion that could in the short run derail the club’s still fragile chemistry.

The latest? A report surfaced prior to Monday’s game against Oklahoma City that the Kings’ management would consider dismissing Dave Joerger because he’s awarded playing time to the club’s veteran players at the expense of the playing time and development of the young core, specifically 2018 first-round pick William Bagley III.

Both Joerger and general manager Vlade Divac dismissed the reports prior to Monday’s game, but no denial could more effective than the Kings dispatching the Thunder, and putting an end to their two-game losing skid.

And that they did, holding on to beat the Thunder, 117-113 at Golden 1 Center.

Buddy Hield scored 25 points, and Iman Shumpert added 23, as the Kings led most of the night only to have the Thunder rally late behind Russell Westbrook in an attempt to steal the ballgame. However, Hield, Shumpert and Bogdan Bogdanovic combined for 13 made threes, including Hield’s trio of threes late that helped the Kings seal it.

“In the first half we played maybe as fast as we’ve played since at Miami (a 123-113 win on October 29). We like to play that fast but we got tired,” Joerger said. “But we kept at it and kept battling.”

Prior to the game, Joerger explained that the Kings caught the league’s attention with their five-game win streak that ended November 1. Now, teams are far more conscious about their transition defense against a younger club that would prefer to move at the NBA’s fastest pace. Then on their most recent trip out of town, the Kings saw the Rockets and Grizzlies, a pair of clubs playing at a high level.

“It is about when you catch teams at a part of a season,” Joerger said in response to his teams’ recent struggles. “We caught two teams that are locked in right now. You get to that 20-game point, and everything is get into a rhythm, and both of those teams have found their rhythm.”

According to Joerger, the five-game win streak created expectations, and the stretch of five losses in seven games that followed, created questions. The report that Bagley’s playing time is an issue is a part of that, but not one Joerger was willing to address.

“I’m not going to get into that,” he said.

Against Oklahoma City, Bagley did see a spike in his time, playing 26 minutes off the bench and coming up with 15 points, 13 rebounds, the first double-double of his NBA career. Nemanja Bjelica–the veteran whose extended playing time was referenced in the report–started for the Kings on Monday, but only played 23 minutes. Still he was effective with 12 points, eight rebounds on 5 of 6 shooting.

De’Aaron Fox struggled with his shooting, going 1 of 10, but he contributed a career-best 13 assists in a team-high 35 minutes of action.

The Kings (9-8) face the Utah Jazz on Wednesday at 6:00 pm PT in Salt Lake City.

That’s Amaury’s News and Commentary: Injuries, the Kryptonite for the Warriors

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Photo credit: @TurntSportsNews

By: Amaury Pi-González

The Warriors have stolen the old Oakland Raiders phrase by their legendary owner All Davis “Just Win Baby” and “Commitment to Excellence” because that’s exactly fits the Golden State Warriors in present history. The Warriors will return to play in San Francisco at the Chase Arena next season. They played in San Francisco (actually Daly City’s Cow Palace) from 1962-1971, and they were called the San Francisco Warriors. I remember their last two years they play at the Cow Palace very well,because that was the first professional Bay Area team I covered as I was writing for El Mundo News of Oakland, a bilingual newspaper.

Recently, injuries have stopped the Warriors and that is their #1 enemy. A healthy Warriors team is way above anybody else in the NBA. Stephen Curry,Draymond Green and others are currently not 100% and that is always a problem, even to a team as deep as the NBA champions. The whole season is ahead. However, there is wear and tear on this team.

The Boston Celtics have won 17 NBA titles, the most followed by the Minneapolis/Los Angeles Lakers with 16 titles. Philadelphia/San Francisco/Golden State Warriors with 6, Chicago Bulls 6 and San Antonio Spurs with 5. Starting this 2018-19 NBA season, the Warriors are playing their last season at Oakland and really have no rivals. All the experts and money in Las Vegas is on the Warriors as the undisputed favorites to repeat. There are teams like San Antonio, Dallas and Cleveland who would be trouble for the Warriors, especially during the playoffs, but it is hard to see anybody really stopping them this season.

The Warriors have won 3 titles in the last four seasons,and they are poised to win again this season,which will give them a total of 4 at Oakland, (they also won in 1975) and a total of 7 among all the three cities they have played for: Philadelphia,San Francisco,Oakland. Outside the Bay Area, the Warriors are hated by many and called annoying by others. They were a championship team prior to acquiring Kevin Durant, now this season they added Demarcus Cousins. So it is easy to see why outside the Bay Area they remain as one of the most hated and even annoying teams for people that follow the NBA. Some times you have to admit it is human nature to hate something that is almost perfection. There is a reason the New York Yankees have been hated for many many years,and a lot have to do with the success they have always enjoyed with their 27 World Series titles, they got the nickname of “The Evil Empire”while playing in the Empire State.

The last few years have been dream years for the Warriors and it seems everything continues to go their way. In 2016-17 the salary cap in the NBA went up to $94 million, which made possible the signing of Kevin Durant by letting go of Andrew Bogut, the rights to Harrison Barnes and now with Cousins (signed to a 1-year, $5.3 million deal), their odds of winning the title soared. They are as close to a sure thing to repeat as they have ever been before. Remember they were already Champions before Durant or Cousins came to the Bay.

Like mentioned before, they still have most of the season ahead and there is nothing assured in any sport, but unless a freak rash of injuries to a few of their players, especially if anybody suffers a key injury that would keep from playing for a long time, this team will walk into another title with little difficulty. It never gets boring for fans of a team when that team wins. You expect them to do every day every night. The story becomes when the Warriors lose a game, not when they win.

I remember the days when I could not give tickets for free for the Warriors games at Oakland,we had a bunch of coaches on a short span of time, like Don Nelson, Gary St. Jean, Rick Adelman and P.J. Carlesimo. These were exciting Warriors teams, they scored a lot but gave away much more points. They were very entertaining, but they didn’t win anything. Now the glory days are going on,and everybody expect them to win every time they go out on the court, and for many teams, a win against the Warriors regardless how that win is obtained is like their highlight for the season.

Warriors lose again, fall to Spurs 104-92

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Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Warriors lost their third game in a row and fourth in the last five games when they were beaten by the San Antonio Spurs 104-92 in San Antonio.

The Warriors were again without the services of Steph Curry and Draymond Green. Alfonzo McKinnie, who has been a valuable reserve for the Warriors, did not suit up either. DeMarcus Cousins, who is recovering from a ruptured Achilles tendon, is still not ready to play. The Warriors need him to help get the offense back into high gear. The Warriors are also missing the presence of JaVale McGee and David West. McGee signed a contract with the Los Angels Lakers. He provided instant offense when head coach Steve Kerr inserted him into the game for the Warriors. So far, neither Damian Jones or Kevon Looney has been able to replicate what McGee did. That is not to say that they are not contributing, but it seems the electricity is missing. David West, who usually started the second and fourth quarter, has retired. West was a force on the floor and he, too, is missed.

The Warriors, who had won three of the last five games played in San Antonio, looked like the team that had lost 33 straight games in San Antonio before Steve Kerr became the head coach. The Warriors fell behind early in the first quarter. They stayed close and even tied the game at 21. The Spurs then went on a 10-2 run and led the Warriors by six, 33-27, at the end of the quarter.

The Warriors stayed close and actually took the lead 38-37 on a bucket by Klay Thompson. The teams changed leads a couple times later in the quarter. The Warriors led 46-45, but the Spurs went on an 11-2 run to finish the first half 56-48. Kevin Durant had 11 for the half. He had a tough time hitting his shots from the floor as he was 2-for-10. Klay finished with 13, and Quinn Cook had 6.

The Warriors shot just 40% from the floor and were 1-for 12 from 3-point range. The Spurs shot 44% from the floor and made 7 3-point shots in 18 attempts. LaMarcus Aldridge had 10 points and 11 boards. Rudy Gay knocked down 15. He had four 3-pointers in the half. Marco Belinelli, the former Warrior, made 2 3-pointers and had 8 total in the half.

The Warriors’ offense went to sleep to start the third quarter. Neither Durant nor Thompson could make a three-point shot. The Warriors scored just 6 points for the first five-plus minutes in the period. They fell behind by 18 74-56 before the offense woke up. The Warriors finished the third quarter on a 9-0 run to close the gap to 7 78-71. Quinn cook made two threes to help the Warriors close the gap.

The Warriors, in the fourth quarter, continued to play good defense. They played with a lot of energy as they came all the way back and trailed the Spurs 91-90 after Klay hit a three. The Spurs, at this point, shit the Warriors offense down. They scored six points to lead 97-90. Kevon Looney made a hard-earned basket to make it 97-92. The Warriors failed to score, and San Antonio scored the last seven points of the night to win 104-92.

Game Notes and Stats: With the loss, the Warriors drop to 12-6, and San Antonio improved to 8-7. Kevin Durant led the Warriors with 26 points and 10 rebounds. He was 8-for-25 from the floor and 1-for-8 from three-point range. Klay Thompson tallied 25, and he was 3-for -11 attempting 3s. Quinn Cook had 16 points and 8 rebounds. He made one three in four attempts.

LaMarcus Aldridge had a double-double with 24 points and 17 rebounds. Rudy Gay had 19, DeMar DeRozan 20. Belinelli finished with 12, and Bryn Forbes had 10.

Up Next: The Warriors return home to face the Oklahoma Thunder Wednesday night at 7:30 pm inside Oracle Arena.

The Portland Trailblazers, with Damian Lillard and C.J.McCollum, visit the Oracle on Friday night at 7:30 pm.

Warriors play better, but lose to the Mavericks 112-109

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Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Warriors, hoping to rebound after playing a poor game in Houston Thursday night, played a Saturday thriller at the American Airlines Center against the rapidly improving Dallas Mavericks. The game was in doubt until the final seconds of the fourth quarter. Dallas made the plays, and their defense stopped the Warriors’ offense down the stretch to come away with the win 112-109.

The Warriors’ offense came to life after a dismal showing in Houston. There were a lot of bright spots for Steve Kerr’s team. The Warriors were without the services of Steph Curry, Draymond Green, and Alfonzo McKinnie Saturday. Kerr started Kevon Looney in place of Damian Jones at center. Jonas Jerebko played in Green’s spot, and Andre Iguodala started at guard. Jerebko played very well. He scored just five points, but he was a force on the boards all night long. Jonas pulled down 10 boards and had 4 assists. The Warrior bench players Damian Lee, Quinn Cook, and Shaun Livingston made major contributions. Cook had 15, Lee had 13, and Livingston had 12.

The Mavs won their fourth in a row. Dallas has been in a rebuild mode for a couple of seasons, and the players they added to the team have added to their success. The Mavs’ feature Luka Doncic, who is a 19-year-old rookie. Doncic came into the game averaging 19 points a game. He showed the Warriors that he knows how to play the game and he finished the night leading Dallas with 24 points. The Mavs signed Deandre Jordan as a free agent. Jordan played for the LA Clippers and wanted out of LA. He has improved his free throw shooting and was a force under the boards. Former Warrior, Harrison Barnes, who is in his third year in Dallas, torched his ex-teammates for 23 points.

Dallas won the first quarter 26-22. The Warriors fell behind early and trailed 18-10 before making a run on offense. Kevin Durant was the offensive force in the quarter.

The Warriors, with Lee, Cook, and Livingston coming off the bench, outscored the Mavs 37-31 in the second quarter to finish the first half with the lead 59-57. Durant led the scorers with 18. Thompson had 13, while Lee had 11 in 10 minutes of action, and Livingston had 8. Barnes had 15 to lead the Mavs. Luca Doncic added 14 and Jordan had 8.

The Warriors finished the third quarter with a four-point lead 86-82. Quinn Cook made two 3-point shots to spark the offense, The Warriors increased the lead to 8 90-82 early in the fourth quarter. With the score 92-85, the Mavs went on an 8-0 run to regain the lead. Both teams refused to wilt. The Warriors led 106-105 when Dallas hit a two-pointer to lead 107-106 with 1:42 left to play. Andre Iguodala made a clutch basket to put the Warriors ahead 108-107. Dallas scored the next five points and led 112-108 with six seconds left. Durant was fouled. The Warriors needed Durant to make the first free throw, which he did. The Warriors only hope was for Durant to miss the free throw, grab the rebound, and make a three to tie the game. Durant missed the free throw, but Doncic grabbed the rebound and Dallas celebrated the 112-109 win.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors have lost three of the last four games played and are 12-5 for the year. Dallas won its fourth in a row, and the team is now 7-8.

Durant finished with 32 and Thompson had 22. Both starts missed 3-pointers down the stretch.

Up Next: The Warriors travel to San Antonio to face the Spurs on Sunday at 4:00 pm PT.

Warriors play an ugly game, lose to the Rockets 107-86

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Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors started a three-game trip in Texas with a thud. The Warriors, without the services of Steph Curry for the next five games, could not get their offense going and they lost to the Houston Rockets 107-86 at the Toyota Center on Thursday night.

The Rockets, who lost to the Warriors last season in the Western Conference Finals, had circled the date they would play them in the new season. The Rockets have not looked like the team that had the best record in the NBA last season. The Warriors played a sound game on defense, but their offense went into the deep freeze. The Warriors’ Big Three of Kevin Durant, Draymond Green, and Klay Thompson were expected to provide the firepower the Warriors needed if they were to win. The Rockets’ defense double-teamed Kevin Durant all night long. Neither Draymond or Klay could pick up the slack. The Warriors made just four 3-point shots while the Rockets connected 16 times.

The Warriors grabbed an early 8-1 lead in the first quarter. They led 15-8 until Houston went on an 8-0 run to take the lead 16-15. The Rockets took the lead for good when they hit a three to take a 19-17 advantage. The Rockets finished the quarter leading 25-19. The Warriors and Rockets each scored 22 points in the second period and the Rockets still led by six at the end of the first half 47-41. Durant led the Warriors with 13. Thompson and Jonas Jerebko each had six. James Harden led the Rockets with 15. Clint Capela had 6, Chris Paul 8, and Eric Gordon added 10.

The Warriors held the Rockets to 36% from the floor, but the Rockets took seven more shots than the Warriors.

The Warriors could not get the offense going in the second half. They were not running the fast break. They were not making three-point shots. They were completely out of sync. They turned the ball over. The Rockets outscored them 29-22 in the third quarter and led 76-63. The way the Warriors were playing did not indicate that they could overcome a 13-point deficit.

Thompson started the fourth quarter with a bucket. The Rockets went on a 21-0 run to put the game out of reach. The Warriors’ head coach Steve  Kerr inserted his bench players, and the Big Three watched the finish of the game from the bench. The Rockets cruised to an easy 107-86 win.

Game Notes and Stats: The Warriors had an opportunity to win the game had they had an offense. The Rockets were averaging just 101 points on offense so far this year. Their defense had allowed 102 points per game. The Warriors did not do it, and their record dropped to 12-4. Houston improved to 7-7.

Durant led the Warriors with 20 points. Kevon Looney was second with 12, Quinn Cook had 11, and Thompson finished with 10. Most of Cook’s points came in garbage time.

Harden led the Rockets with 27. Eric Gordon had 17, Clint Capela, 10, and Chris Paul 10.

Up Next: The Warriors play the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night in Dallas. Game time will be at 5 pm PT.

Headline Sports with London Marq: Arguing on the court, closed door locker drama, team is struggling on the floor, or is there nothing to see here?

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Photo credit: @morrisgriffin_

On the Headline Sports podcast with London:

#1 Are the Golden State Warriors finally melting down after years of success and starting to soften their foundation after Draymond Green got into a jawing match with team superstar Kevin Durant in Golden State’s loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday night?

#2 The Warriors had lost two of their last three before Tuesday night. Green sat out Tuesday night’s game against Atlanta for misconduct and will lose $120,480 pay.

#3 Has this team that has been so successful for at least the last four years start to show cracks? Green has been noted as the most vocal on the team.

#4 Durant, Klay Thompson, and DeMarcus Cousins are scheduled to be free agents next season even with their success. Can these players be leaving and will the Durant-Green argument be a distraction for Golden State?

#5 They were arguing and dissension was on the sidelines on Monday night amongst them Green with Durant, Green with DeMarcus Cousins. Does Green need to sit down and shut up?

London Marq does Headline Sports each Wednesday at http://www.sportsrasdioservice.com

Warriors take down the Hawks 110-103

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Photo credit: @warriors

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Golden State Warriors returned home to face the Atlanta Hawks Tuesday night at Oracle Arena. The Warriors, still missing Steph Curry, had to face the young Hawks team minus their All-Star forward Draymond Green. Green and Kevin Durant had a verbal confrontation last night late in the game against the Los Angeles Clippers. The dispute spilled over into the clubhouse and was still not resolved on the flight home. The Warriors’ management suspended Green without pay for one game. The reason given was that Green had “committed conduct detrimental to the team.” The Warriors had to come back from the loss to LA and regroup. They did not play well in the first half, but played Warrior basketball in the second half to outlast the Hawks 110-103.

The Hawks, who are in rebuild mode, hired Lloyd Pierce as their coach after Mike Budenholzer resigned. Budenholzer had the worst year of his career with Atlanta last season and moved on to coach the Milwaukee Bucks. Pierce inherited a young team with players that are not yet well-known in the league. The Hawks do have on their roster two former Warrior players: Kent Bazemore, and Jeremy Lin. Another familiar name is the 41-year-old veteran, Vince Carter. The Hawks feature rookie Trae Young, who came into the game averaging 18 points per game. Taurean Prince and Alex Len are two names that are not well known in Oakland, but both players performed well against the Warriors Tuesday night.

The Hawks frustrated the Warrior offense in the first quarter as they held the Warriors to just 20 points. They outscored the Warriors by three to lead 23-20, and the fans in the stands were starting to squirm as the Warriors’ offense sputtered through most of the game Monday night in Los Angeles. The two teams scored 29 points in the second quarter, and the first half ended with Atlanta ahead 52-49. The Hawks held the Warriors to just 39.5% shooting from the floor. Durant led the offense with 15. Klay Thompson, who scored 7 in the first half against LA, was held to 9 points Tuesday night. Jonas Jerebko hit two three-point shots and finished the half with 8. Quinn Cook had 7, and Jordan Bell added 6. Atlanta was led by Carter and Prince. Each player had 11. Alex Len had 8, Bazemore 7, and Deandre Bembry kicked in with 8.

Warriors’ head coach Steve Kerr must have told the team to get their act together and play Warrior basketball during the halftime intermission.  The third quarter started with Atlanta increasing the lead to five 54-49. With Atlanta, ahead 58-55, the Warrior offense came to life as they went on a 17-2 run to grab a 10-point lead 70-60. The Hawks refused to bend, and they were to end the third quarter trailing by six 82-76. The Hawks still had a chance to upset the Warriors.

The Warriors were determined not to lose. The offense was sparked by Thompson, Durant, Cook, Jonas Jerebko, and Andre Iguodala. The Warriors expanded the lead to 14 101-87, but had to hold on for dear life as Atlanta kept coming back. The Hawks cut the deficit to five 106-101 with 1 minute and 41 seconds left to play. Durant scored the next 4 points, and the Warriors held off the Hawks 110-103

Game Notes and Stats:  With the win, the Warriors improve to 12-3, while the Hawks’ record drops to 3-11.

Kevin Durant paced the Warriors with 29 points, 6 boards, and 3 assists. Jonas Jerebko had a double-double with 14 points and 13 rebounds, which was a career-high. Jerebko knocked down four 3-point shots. Klay Thompson finished with 24. Quinn Cook had 18.

The Atlanta attack was led by Taurean Prince’s 22 points. Alex Len had 14, Bazemore 18, Bembry 13, Carter 11, and Jeremy Lin 10. The Hawks’ outstanding rookie, Trae Young, was held to just 4 points.

The Warriors finished the night shooting 42.9% from the floor. They made 12 three-point shots in 27 attempts.

Up Next: The Warriors head to Texas for 3 games in 4 nights. They start the trip with against the Houston Rockets Thursday at 5:00 pm PT. They’ll then play Dallas on Saturday at 5:30 pm PT and the San Antonio Spurs Sunday at 4:00 pm PT.