3 takeaways from Warriors' loss in double overtime
November 28, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) celebrates during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Hawks at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Hawks 105-100. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Here’s what we learned from the Golden State Warriors’ loss to the Houston Rockets in double overtime on Thursday night.
The winning streak has come to an end. After 12 straight wins, the Golden State Warriors finally fell to the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. It took a double overtime and a whole lot of foul help to defeat the Warriors, but James Harden and the Rockets were able to pull off the upset on the road.
By the time double overtime rolled around, Stephen Curry had fouled out and Draymond Green would join him not long after. The Warriors scored plenty of points but missed plenty of shots. Here’s what we learned from the loss on Thursday.
3. The Warriors missed too many threes
12 three-point field goals in one game is usually considered a pretty good night from the floor. When the Warriors take 44 of them and only come away with 12, it’s a bit of a disappointment. They shot a ridiculous amount of shots from deep as expected, but they absolutely missed too many.
Neither Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry or Klay Thompson could find their range from deep. If they could have just connected on a few more of them, they would have likely won this game and it might not have even gone to double overtime. Alas, they did not and the shot they live by was not exactly there.
Nov 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) high fives guard Stephen Curry (30) after a basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
2. JaVale McGee needs more minutes
It certainly makes sense that in a game against Mike D’Antoni that the Golden State Warriors would likely go small and not give too many minutes to their big men. That’s exactly what happened and although they lost, it’s not the reason they lost.
However, in a game like this it might have been nice to throw JaVale McGee some more minutes. He’s certainly athletic enough to play a game that requires pace and he might have been a little disruptive on the defensive end for the Warriors.
Neither he nor Zaza Pachulia played much in this game. Pachulia wasn’t exactly entirely effective in his minutes on the floor and McGee only finished with a point. He did finish with two steals on the defensive end however.
Steve Kerr might want to consider what his big man can do in a tempo like the one they played at on Thursday. Perhaps it could give them a defensive advantage in these situations that future that they might not normally get from Pachulia.
November 13, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) during the first quarter against the Phoenix Suns at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Suns 133-120. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
1. Draymond Green is playing his best basketball
Even in a loss, Draymond Green stood out as a beast on the floor. He gave every bit of his hear to trying to will his team to a win and was the reason they even kept it close in double overtime. There will be plenty of debate about his flagrant foul, but it didn’t look to be anything egregious.
He made an impressive play to force a jump ball late against James Harden. He noticed Harden get sloppy with the basketball and he dove right in and forced the officials to make a call on the floor in a key moment.
Green finished with 20 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists on the night. Almost ending up with a triple-double and playing one of the best defensive games of the season is yet another reason why it’s clear he’s out to win the Defensive Player of the Year award.
It’s disappointing to lose games but the Warriors aren’t going to be losing many when Green keeps applying this type of defensive effort every night. He’s so instinctual on the court and it really is a treat to see him become even better.
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