David Lee, PF 41 MIN | 7-12 FG | 1-2 FT | 12 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 15 PTS | -16Lee proved to have the toughest assignment of the night, facing LaMarcus Aldridge on the defensive end and conversely, having to go against Aldridge on the offensive end. Aldridge looked like Dikembe Mutumbo out there as he blocked three of Lee’s shots inside the painted area tonight. Lee looked openly frustrated and was picked apart in the fourth quarter as the Blazers continued to feed Aldridge down low with great success. Lee’s defensive struggles are known, but don’t be surprised to see more teams feed their power forward when facing Lee as the season progresses. Portland milked the matchup the entire second half on their way towards 35 free throw attempts. | ||
Harrison Barnes, SF 45 MIN | 4-12 FG | 3-5 FT | 4 REB | 5 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 2 TO | 13 PTS | -12Barnes couldn’t get anything going all night except for two corner threes as Nicolas Batum shadowed him all night. Batum, known for his versatile defense and lengthy frame, did well forcing Barnes into tough shots, and Barnes couldn’t find the room (or luck) while driving in the paint either. After an impressive 9/13 outing in Los Angeles where his aggression on the offensive end lead the Warriors, Barnes reverted vaulted back to down to Earth with this 33% shooting effort. | ||
Andrew Bogut, C 35 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-0 FT | 12 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 2 TO | 4 PTS | -7Bogut couldn’t extend his double-double streak to three games as he struggled to really get anything going on the offensive end. While often being considered underachieving or a “bust”, Robin Lopez impressed tonight scoring nine points, grabbing nine rebounds in 34:34 minutes of play. The highlight of Bogut’s night came with 3:42 left in the 3Q when Joel Freeland holds Bogut as he’s attempting to block out for a rebound. It’s not known if something was said — there usually is — but Mo Williams and LaMarcus Aldridge altered the scuffle by putting hands on Bogut’s jaw creating the first brawl of the season for the Warriors. I wouldn’t put it on the same level as the Pacers brawl last season, but this proved to be a turning point in the game for the Blazers. Bogut also said postgame his right elbow was “a little sore” following the scuffle — whether that was caused by Freeland is now known — but he doesn’t think it’s serious. | ||
Stephen Curry, PG 37 MIN | 8-21 FG | 4-5 FT | 3 REB | 11 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 5 TO | 22 PTS | -6Curry looked rusty in his first game back since being concussed five days ago in Utah. While neither his speed or decision making looked out of the norm, Curry shot poorly all game and even — this is noteworthy — missed a free throw. His return to the lineup coincided with Andre Iguodala’s absence, but Curry picked up his slack with 11 assists. Curry will be opposing a plethora of quality guards on their upcoming four-game road trip: Jrue Holliday, Tyreke Evans, Monta Ellis and Russell Westbrook to name some. The Warriors need Curry now in what has quickly turned into a struggling time for this young Warriors team. | ||
Klay Thompson, SG 27 MIN | 10-13 FG | 8-8 FT | 1 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 4 TO | 30 PTS | -4Thompson was the most consistent and productive Warrior on Saturday night, but it was two foolish fouls that cost Thompson the chance at finishing the game. Thompson picked up his fifth with 1:05 left in the 3Q on a inexclipable reach in the backcourt and was the victim of an offensive foul call on an apparent shove with 5:07 left in the 4Q. Thompson fouled out when the score was 92-98 and very much still in reach. |
Quote of the game:
“We were just bad — just bad. I thought there were some times where we let our inability to make shots affect the way we defended. That’s not who we are. We didn’t give the same energy the same effort. The 50/50 balls, the long rebounds and loose balls — they got every single one of them. When we are on top of our game those are ours and we turn them into transition baskets. That’s a team that scored 64 points in the second half. 48 points off turnovers and second chance opportunities. You can’t win, you can’t wain that way.” – Mark Jackson
Looking ahead: The Warriors now embark on a four-game road trip: New Orleans Pelicans (11/26), Dallas Mavericks (11/27), Oklahoma City (11/29) and Sacramento Kings (12/1).
Fight of the night (yes, better than Pacquiao-Rios):
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Klays reach in/ shove definitely were stupid plays. IMO Bogut needs to be more aggressive, and the bench needs to put in LOTS of work. Nedovic is a good player he just need the confidence of his team behind him. Speights looks out of shape and lazy. Barnes just needs to attack, plain and simple. Im not sure what Bazemore brings besides enthusiasm and ok D?