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Golden State Warriors Notebook: Warriors Frustration and Playoff Hole Growing, Steph Receives Huge Compliment From LeBron

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The Golden State Warriors are not happy.

Golden State Warriors Notebook: Warriors Frustration and Playoff Hole Growing, Steph Receives Huge Compliment From LeBron

Golden State and the Los Angeles Lakers put on quite a show in the Lakers’ 144-143 double-overtime win as both teams’ stars showed out.  Stephen Curry set a season-high in points (46) and 3-pointers (nine), with his last triple seemingly giving the Warriors a huge victory as it put the Warriors 143-142 with 4.7 seconds left in the second extra period.

 

But LeBron James drew a foul on Draymond Green with one second to go and drained both free throws to give the Lakers the win.

James free throws were the Lakers’ 42 and 43 of the game. Meanwhile, the Warriors attempted 16 all game, with Curry having just three.

 

That didn’t sit well with Curry or coach Steve Kerr.

Curry spoke with reporters after the game and said that he was frustrated with the inconsistencies of the officiating.

However, Kerr was a little more vague.

“I might comment on the free throws that they shot, but my mom is here right now and I want to be on my best behavior so I’m not going to comment on their 43 free throws to our 16. I’m not going to comment on Steph shooting three free throws in 43 minutes.”

James Compliments Curry

Curry finished the game, making 17 of 35 shots with 21 of those attempts coming from beyond the arc.

“It’s been a treat to go against one of the greatest to ever play this game,” James said of Curry. “For us to continue to push each other at the state of our careers, you don’t take it for granted because you don’t know how many times you’re actually going to get the moment to actually be on the same floor with such a talent.”

Golden State starters played well in this game, which has not been the case on most nights. The Warriors’ first unit tallied 122 of the Warriors’ points, outscoring the Lakers starters by 12. Klay Thompson (24), Andrew Wiggins (22), and Jonathan Kuminga (22 points and 9 rebounds) joined Curry with at least 20 points.  Meanwhile, Green had a fantastic all-around contest with eight points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, three steals, and two blocks. Green also recorded a +31 plus/minus rating.

Warriors’ Playoffs Bid Is In Serious Jeopardy

Golden State has a few days off before concluding its homestand against the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night. The Warriors have lost two straight and 10 of 14.  As a result, the Dubs sit in 12th place in the Western Conference with a 19-24 record. They are three games behind 10th-place Utah and six behind sixth-place Dallas.

Golden State has many problems with injuries, which have certainly been one of them. The Warriors’ starters have not been good and are 24th in defensive rating. The Dubs’ transition defense is horrendous, and they need a rim protector.

Golden State doesn’t have a favorable schedule, as 24 of their final 38 games are on the road.  The Warriors are 7-11 away from home this year. The Warriors are just 7-22 against teams with a winning record.

Other Dub Tidbits from Last Night

  • The double-overtime marked the first time that the Lakers and Warriors have needed two extra frames to decide the outcome since 1969.
  • Curry, who is ninth in the league in scoring at 27.3,  has scored at least 25 points in five straight games. He has three 40-point games and has scored at least 30 points on 17 occassions.
  • Kuminga has reached the 20-point plateau in a personal best six straight games.

 

 

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