NBCSBA: What we learned as Warriors' win streak ends in loss to Clippers

[Robin Miller]

https://www.nbcsportsbayarea.com/nba/golden-state-warriors/what-we-learned-as-warriors-win-streak-ends-in-loss-to-clippers/1703467/


What we learned as Warriors' win streak ends in loss to Clippers

By Michael Wagaman

• Published 1 hour ago


SAN FRANCISCO – Stephen Curry put together another memorable night
Wednesday when he became the first player in NBA history to make at
least seven 3-pointers in four consecutive games, but the Warriors
couldn’t hold onto a late lead and lost to the Los Angeles Clippers
130-125 at Chase Center.

Curry scored 41 points on 15 of 31 shooting overall, 9 of 19 beyond the
arc. Curry also had four rebounds and five assists. Brandin Podziemski
again flirted with a triple-double, scoring 25 points with seven
rebounds and eight assists. Jonathan Kuminga kept rolling with 13
points, eight rebounds and six assists.

The Warriors (26-27) saw their season-high five-game winning streak come
to an end, while coach Steve Kerr was denied in a bid for his 500th
career victory.

Golden State led most of the game until things tightened up late in the
fourth quarter.

After the Clippers (37-17) led 124-117 following Amir Coffey’s second
3-pointer of the game, Curry came back with his own three off a pass
from Podziemski with 55.7 seconds remaining. Curry later scored a
coast-to-coast drive to cut the gap to 128-125, but James Harden was
fouled by Andrew Wiggins and made a pair of free throws to close it out.

It was Golden State’s NBA-leading 36th clutch game this season, defined
as a game within five points or fewer with five minutes left to play.

Here are the takeaways from Wednesday’s game against the Clippers:


Green gives Dubs a scare

Injuries have been a significant stumbling block for the Warriors this
season, and it briefly looked like they might have to absorb another
blow when Green was left lying prone on the court after battling Ivica
Zubac for a rebound in the third quarter.

Green was on the floor for several moments while play continued around
him. When officials finally stopped the game Green was helped to his
feet and walked slowly to the locker room where he was checked for a
concussion but cleared to return.

Green coming back and playing is huge for many reasons.

The Warriors couldn’t find a consistent replacement for his energy and
defense while Green served his two suspensions, and it was not
surprising that his return coincided with Golden State’s season turning
around.

With the NBA All-Star break coming up this weekend, Green also will have
a six-day break following Thursday's game in Utah. That should enable
him to get plenty of rest before the season resumes on Feb. 22 when
Golden State hosts the Los Angeles Lakers at Chase Center.


GP2 on PG

Gary Payton II had another solid game defensively while matching up with
Paul George. George scored seven points in the first quarter before
Payton came off the bench and quickly threw a blanket over the Clippers
star.

George was held scoreless and played fewer than five minutes in the
second quarter. When Payton began the third quarter back on the bench,
George shook loose and scored 10 points to keep the Clippers close.

George finished with the upperhand individually, outscoring Payton 24-2.
But George had to work a lot harder for his shots when Payton was on the
court, connecting on only 5 of 12 shots after making three of his first
five attempts in the first quarter.


Defending the rim

Before the game, Kerr talked about the importance of defending down low
being key to the Warriors’ overall defense. His players seemed to have
taken that to heart early, as the Clippers were far more active outside
the key than near the bucket in the first quarter.

The Clippers took just four shots in the key and scored four points in
the opening 12 minutes. That wasn’t entirely shocking because they
played with star forward Kawhi Leonard, who was held out of the game due
to a left adductor strain.

The Warriors were very active on the boards, surrendering two offensive
rebounds in that same time frame before the Clippers got loose and
attacked frequently and with more success after the first quarter.

Golden State couldn’t sustain the defensive intensity, however, and the
Clippers took full advantage and repeatedly exploited their dominance
down low while outscoring the Warriors in the paint 56-48.