By: Patrick Lo
Another ugly 1st quarter from the Warriors didn’t stop them from notching a 95-85 win over the Cavaliers at the Q. While the Cavs aren’t necessarily intimidating anyone with their 12-50 record, Golden State fought back hard when it would’ve been so easy to continue their 1-6 slide since the All-Star break. With their 9th road win of the year, they’ve already bested their 2009 total. While 9-22 is nothing to boast about, road success will be a key towards making the playoffs, especially when the team is playing .600 at home.
After allowing 10 offensive rebounds in the opening period, the W’s suddenly realized they needed to actually start playing basketball. This revelation must’ve hit pretty hard when J.J. Hickson, Samardo Samuels(who?), Ryan Hollins scored 19 points in one quarter. For the record, they average a combined 24.1ppg on the season. It looked like 3 Blakes out there, dunking, put-back dunking, and generally having their way in paint.
The second unit came in and buckled down defensively by crashing the glass, providing help defense, and daring the Cavs to shoot jumpers. Cleveland’s 3-pt specialists, Anthony Parker and Daniel Gibson, were an awful 2-8 from beyond the arc, certainly helping the Warriors stick to the game plan.
By limiting 2nd chance opportunities and keeping the Cavs out of the paint, the Warrior forced them to win with their shooting. Credit Smart for recognizing Cleveland’s lack of shooting ability and the players for executing the strategy.
Three Stars
1st Star: Monta Ellis
During the 3rd quarter, in a shocking display of martyrdom, Monta doused himself in gasoline and lit himself on fire. To our relief, he proceeded to make it rain to the tune of 17 points, going 5-5 from deep. Unnecessary hyperboles aside, Ellis almost singlehandedly outscored the Cavs in the 3rd, giving Golden State an 11-point cushion heading into the final quarter. 24pts(6-9 3pt), 7rebs, 7asts, 3stls, and 2blks for our little stud muffin.
2nd Star: Stephen Curry
Coupled with Ellis, Curry gave the Warriors some much needed rebounding from the backcourt. With a strikingly similar line (23, 7, 6, 2, 1), Steph was active and efficient all the night long holding a game-high plus/minus of +20.
3rd Star: Vladimir Radmanovic
While he may not be the most deserving of this spot, he really epitomized how the Warriors were so successful for the last 3 quarters. In only 16 minutes of play, Rad Vlad swatted 3 shots while providing the kind of help defense Keith Smart praised the team for. Keep in mind, Radmanovic averages 0.4 blocks on his career, so this is nothing less than an explosive display of pure talent and athleticism matched only by his expert timing and defensive tenacity.
Notes
Curry: During the game, the broadcasters noted that Steph was the first rookie to have 45% FG, 40% 3PT, and 80% FT. While he’s on pace to repeat again, nearing Nash territory 50/40/90, it was his array of shots that got me thinking. A shooter of Curry’s caliber often doesn’t come with the kinds of tricks and feints he has. He can shoot off a pass, off the dribble, off glass, off-balance. He can hit the 3, the 18-footer, the runner/floater/jumper. He can finish at the rim, through and around bigger defenders. Plus he can do this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwZEypxDYpo
Ray Allen, admittedly, has a better shot, but nowhere near the bag of tricks Curry does. Nash is a creative scorer, but not as smooth as Curry this early in his career. The only one comparison I can draw is CP3 who is also super-efficient at scoring. The sky’s the limit with this one.
Ellis: I’ve noticed this before, but it just has to be said. Monta hits the floor after almost every lay-up he takes. The man sacrifices his body for the team every game and the refs are too astonished to even blow the whistle.
Al Thornton: Playing his first significant minutes since being claimed off free agency, Thornton was, well Thornton. Although he played a part in the Warrior’s 2nd quarter push, he isn’t a great fit for the team. He takes possessions off, especially on defense, and the ball stops moving with him. He gives the Warriors another shot-creator, but with all the shooters on the team, ball movement needs to be a priority. True, he provides the opportunity to rest Dorell Wright who’s been playing a 38mpg, but I’m not sold on him being a solid contributor.
Udoh: 20 minutes, 2 rebounds, 2 blocked shots. It’s exactly what it looks like. No progress here, check back later.
B-Diddy: Baron had a sort of throwback night with 19pts, 6asts, 3stls, and a block. Even these numbers don’t quite represent the impact he had on the Warriors. After the Cavs floundered in the middle quarters, he made the game competitive by nailing threes, harassing our tinier guards, and being the great playmaker we all know he is/was/will never be. He’s talking about making a “We Believe” sequel in Cleveland, but with that roster and his history, it’s nothing but words.
The Warriors will be visiting the Brooklyn New Jersey Nets and will catch a huge break with Deron Williams expected to miss the game to be with his wife who is expecting their 4th child. Congrats to Deron, we won’t miss you. Without his services the Nets should fall flat on their face, and the Warriors would be foolish to let this opportunity slip by. Completely baseless score prediction: 107-99 Warriors.