-
Kendra AndrewsESPN
SAN FRANCISCO — All signs pointed to a win for Golden State as the Warriors played the Mavericks in the fourth quarter.
Their defense was stifling for three quarters. Their offense was their usual free-flowing best. At one point, they had a 21-point advantage and were leading by 19 going into the fourth. The Warriors lost to Dallas 107 to 101 after the momentum changed in the final 12 minutes.
Golden State’s 19-point lead is the NBA’s largest fourth-quarter lead.
Steve Kerr, Warriors coach said that the team did not keep their grit in the final stretch. “We let our momentum slip away… We can’t just just say “Oh well when Draymond.” [Green]Andre [Iguodala]We will all be happier if we get our money back. It doesn’t matter who’s out there. We need to be better at executing under pressure, and keeping our competence.
“It’s actually very good to feel it and go through it, because that’s what it feels like during the playoffs when you play against a really great team.”
The final stretch of play began at the 9.44 mark in the fourth. It continued until just before 1:30. Dallas put together a 26-1 run over the next eight minutes. The Warriors only point came off an 11. Andrew WigginsFree throw
Kerr gives credit to the Mavericks for pushing Dallas small. Spencer DinwiddieHe was on fire scoring 10 of his 24 points during the fourth quarter.
He said, “We tried several combinations to regain momentum but we couldn’t find any.” “When they got small, we didn’t respond. We missed some open shots, and they just took the momentum.”
“We played great defense for 36 minutes,” Stephen Curry said. “We felt like we had everything under control. Our energy changed when we missed shots or were given empty possessions. We feel deflated when they score. They do this for no good reason.
Curry is right: The Warriors’ defense in the early stages was brutal, especially Andrew Wiggins. Gary Payton II. Wiggins was the primary defender and held the Mavericks to just 2-of-11 shooting in the first half. Both he and Payton kept the scoreboard. Luka DoncicTo just 1-of-8 shooting, and four turnovers.
But as Golden State’s offense began to go south, so did their defense.
“We let our offense dictate how we feel and what our energy is like in the game.” Kevon Looney said. “We almost gave up when the adversity struck.”
Sunday’s collapse marks the Warriors’ second consecutive home loss and their second in three previous games where they have lost a substantial fourth-quarter advantage. Denver NuggetsFebruary 16,
Curry stated, “We had to figure out how we can maintain our energy when shots aren’t falling.” Curry explained, “Because that is what it might look like in a playoff… Even though it was hard to see the positives, I think it was a useful lesson.
Curry is positive that there are lessons to be learnt from their match against the Mavericks. Kerr agrees. Kerr highlighted the importance of effort and execution when under pressure as two areas he wants addressed.
But it will not happen by itself. Kerr also stated that they are not able to rely on Green and Iguodala’s returns.
Curry stated, “We have to bring an advantage.” “Sustain that for 48 minutes, and each game we’ll get an opportunity to do so — to turn that into a positive effect and try to build momentum. It’s not going be happen by itself just simply because Coach says it. We’ve got to do it.”