The Golden State Warriors are at a critical point in their season. They have been treading water all year and have stayed around the .500 mark. The only positive takeaway is that their schedule was brutal; if they could stay afloat during tough times, maybe that means they could take off during easier times.
Well, it’s time to put up or shut up for the Dubs, because on Wednesday they started an eight-game streak at home, with just one game in a row. It’s time to run. And luckily, they’re off to a good start, as they kicked off this portion of the schedule with a 120-113 win over the Milwaukee Bucks, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score suggests.
After a fierce defeat against the LA Clippers on Monday it was all defense, this match was all offense at the start. Moses Moody nailed a three on the team’s first possession and Quinten Post drained one on his second, and the offense was underway. Unfortunately, so did the Bucks, who scored just as easily. Unhappy with the defensive effort, Steve Kerr called a timeout at 6:41 in the first quarter, with the Bucks leading 19-13.
Everything Kerr said worked, as the Dubs bit back on defense and found their rhythm on offense, scoring nine straight points in response. After the teams traded defensive blows, it was back to a high-scoring affair, with Curry dropping 10 points in the frame, and former Warrior Ryan Rollins – who had a career game against his former team earlier this year – once again coming out and showing out. The Warriors survived their minutes without Steph Curry, but the Bucks survived theirs without Giannis Antetokounmpo as neither team could take control. Golden State closed with a lineup of two bigs – Post and Al Horford – and the teams were tied at 31 points at the end of the quarter.
The offense took another step forward to start the second quarter. Golden State pushed in transition and made the extra pass. You could practically feel Steve Kerr smiling through the television as the players and the ball flew around the field with intent.
Above all, the Warriors did what they could not do in the first quarter, and took advantage of Antetokounmpo’s prolonged absence. The two-time MVP isn’t exactly playing full minutes following his recent injury (he played just under 31 minutes in this game), and his first stint on the bench lasted a good chunk of time at the end of the first and beginning of the second. And in that second half of his bench time, the Warriors finally took advantage, and suddenly they looked like a much better team. A brilliant sequence from Horford – who blocked a shot at one end of the court and drained a three at the other – gave the Dubs a double-digit lead with 8:30 left in the game.
The offense looked great, but Antetokounmpo started to take over when he returned to the court. He and Kevin Porter Jr. had pulled the Bucks within three points with just under 2:30 left in the half, when perhaps the most important play of the game took place. Jimmy Butler III, closing out the quarters as he does so well, was keenly aware of both Antetokounmpo’s dominance and the fact that he had committed two fouls. So Butler worked his magic and provoked Antetokounmpo into a shooting foul that would send the Milwaukee star to the bench for the rest of the half.
This sparked the Warriors. With Giannis unable to bother the Warriors with his explosive offense or athletic defense, the Dubs absolutely clobbered the Bucks, immediately going on an 11-0 run to take complete control of the game. Milwaukee managed to end the half with a highlight, when AJ Green finished Golden State’s run with a three in the final seconds, but even so, it was a 64-53 advantage entering the half.
The first few minutes of the third quarter always seem to be the most critical part of an NBA game, especially one where one team has a sizable lead. These third quarter sequences are real and you will have the opportunity to see if the team behind is going to come back and make things interesting, or if they are going to disappear.
This game was an exception to that rule. Milwaukee came out of the gates firing, but that didn’t bode well for a close second half. Instead, the Bucks simply closed the gap, then the Warriors quickly widened it. Milwaukee got close in the opening minutes, then Curry came out, with a vintage burst, resulting in 16 points in the quarter. Everyone followed Curry’s lead: Butler made big shots, Green played absolutely stunning defense, Brandin Podziemski did a little bit of everything, Post and Moody had huge moments, Horford and De’Anthony Melton played like the stalwart veterans they are, and Gui Santos – taking minutes from the injured Gary Payton II – flew all over the court. The Warriors were in complete control and entered the fourth quarter with a 98-82 advantage.
Despite this, the Bucks still did not disappear. They continued to flirt with the idea of getting back into the game, while Curry watched from the bench waiting in case he needed to save the day. Finally, it looked like Golden State had made things right when Green made consecutive three-pointers midway through the game, bringing the lead back to 15 points.
But the Bucks continued to respond, even as Green, Butler and eventually Curry responded. It was a tremendous display from Milwaukee, as the Bucks seemed to make harder and harder shots as the fourth quarter progressed. They made a shot, the Warriors responded by defending better, they made another shot, and the cycle went on and on.
Still, the Warriors maintained a semi-comfortable lead, while running an end lineup of Curry, Green, Butler, Melton and Santos, then trading Santos for Moody. Eventually, Milwaukee’s ability to hit outrageous shots faded, and even though Golden State’s offense was officially losing oil by that point, they had built up a sizable lead. With about 30 seconds left, Curry hit an absurd step-back jumper to extend the lead to nine, then hit the Bucks with his nightly celebration. That’s all she wrote.
After their struggles shooting the ball in Los Angeles, the Warriors had a much-needed shooting night, as they made 49.4 percent of their field goals (44 for 89) and, more importantly, 38.3 percent of their threes (18 for 47). But shots weren’t the most important stat for Golden State: turnovers were. It’s no secret that the Warriors’ biggest enemy is their own inability to take care of the ball, and on Wednesday they had just 10 turnovers (one of which was a shot clock violation while they were milking the clock late in the game). It was a great performance from their often sloppy star playmakers in that regard, as Curry and Green only had one turnover each.
Curry led the Warriors with 31 points on 12-of-21 shooting (3-of-9 from beyond the arc), and added six rebounds and seven assists. Butler scored 21 and Green 14, although their biggest contributions came from passing the ball and defending.
But the most exciting news for the Warriors – besides the lack of turnovers – was the performance from the bench. Melton and Horford were exactly who the Dubs thought they were getting by signing the proven veterans, as each had a standout game. Melton had his best shooting performance of the year, dropping 22 points on 8-of-12 shooting, including 5-of-9 from deep. Horford was equally sensational, with eight points on six shots, 10 rebounds, six assists, two blocks and incredible defense. Podziemski and Santos only had two points each, but the former had six rebounds, four assists and finished with a +19 record, while the latter played very solid defense, made smart plays and was +12. With Payton sidelined, the Warriors played a 10-man rotation, with Jonathan Kuminga, Buddy Hield, Pat Spencer and Trayce Jackson-Davis all receiving DNP-CDs.
Despite Green’s incredible defense, Antetokounmpo dominated as usual, finishing with 34 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while shooting 15 of 22 from the field. Rollins had 16 points and Porter 15, as six different Milwaukee players finished with double-digit scoring.
With the win, the Warriors improved to 20-18, and they have seven more games before their extended residency at Chase Center takes a break. They will be back in action Friday night when they host the Sacramento Kings at 7:00 p.m. PT.
