LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 14: Nicolas Batum #33 of the Los Angeles Clippers steals the ball towards Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors in the course of the first quarter at Crypto.com Enviornment on February 14, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: Consumer expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or utilizing this Photograph, consumer is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Photos License Settlement. (Picture by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Photos)
Stephen Curry exploded for 26 of his 33 factors within the first half on Monday evening towards the Los Angeles Clippers, but it surely wasn’t sufficient.
The Warriors have been taking pictures 56 p.c from the sphere within the first half, and trailed simply 61-59 at intermission. The Clippers drubbed the Warriors 33-19 within the third quarter and went on to roll 119-104.
Listed below are some observations from the Warriors’ third loss in 4 video games.
DEFENSE MIA
The Clippers shot a blistering 56.5 p.c from the sphere and 44.1 p.c from deep. Granted, the Clippers had a type of video games the place they have been simply sizzling and simply made pictures. The recent taking pictures in itself was only a pixel within the greater image of the sport. The truth that Golden State couldn’t cease a nosebleed dominated the display screen in a decision that’s clearer than 4K.
“We’re letting groups attending to the place they need to on the court docket,” Kevon Looney stated. “They have been getting within the paint fairly simply.”
Listed below are a few of the most egregious examples of miscues on protection.
On this sequence amongst many others, the Warriors helped close to the ring. Serving to within the paint is ineffective when you may have succesful shooters with no indicators of cooling off. They overhelped within the lane and left a wide-open Nic Batum for a nook three.
Just some minutes earlier, the Warriors had one other breakdown.
Right here, the Warriors stretched their 3-2 zone protection past the 3-point line to promote out on Reggie Jackson. Ivica Zubac pulls up for the excessive display screen and roll and cut up the double group of Andrew Wiggins and Looney. Looney couldn’t get better in time, leaving Curry uncovered, and garners a simple bucket for the Clippers.
The Clippers did most of their harm within the paint. The Warriors protection didn’t impose their will, and as soon as once more their lack of measurement confirmed. Nevertheless, coach Steve Kerr dismissed the difficulty postgame.
“Tonight didn’t really feel prefer it had something to do with measurement,” he stated. “They only went round us. Level-of-attack protection was the primary situation tonight.”
CURRY UNLOCKED?
After trying solely three pictures within the second half of Saturday’s sport towards the Lakers, Curry made some extent to get himself going. The 2-time MVP got here into the Crypto Enviornment sizzling, hitting his first 5 pictures. Working from the paint to the perimeter was the catalyst.
“I had two good floaters to start out the sport and bought a very good rhythm,” he stated.
Whereas Curry cooled off a bit within the second half, he managed to show in his most effective sport in month, taking pictures 11-of-18 from the sphere and 8-of-13 from deep.
For essentially the most half, Curry took what the protection gave him. Within the first half, Curry made the Clippers’ protection pay for botched switches and never listening to the relocate.
CLIPPERS LOCKDOWN
The Clippers outscored the Warriors 33-19 within the third not solely by remaining sizzling from the sphere, but in addition with protection. Clippers’ head coach Ty Lue as soon as once more threw doubles and traps at Curry to pressure the ball out of his palms and to pressure the others to make pictures and win.
Lue’s technique labored: The Warriors shot a mixed 5-of-21 from 3-point vary within the second half, whereas the plan additionally restricted Golden State’s factors within the paint. Lue promoting out on Curry is nothing new. He did it within the Finals as Cleveland’s coach.
“In 2017 and 2018, we blitzed him even with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson on the ground. That’ s how harmful he's,” Lue stated of Curry.
Thompson solely shot 3-of-14 from the sphere, Andrew Wiggins was neutralized, and others couldn’t rating towards the Clippers’ Curry-centric protection, so Lue’s gamble labored.
REST FOR THE IRONMAN
Kevon Looney performed solely 19 minutes Monday evening, however he’s nonetheless but to overlook a sport this season and the Warriors have relied on him extra with Draymond Inexperienced out.
Looney says he’s not likely drained, however is trying ahead to the All-Star break after Wednesday evening’s sport towards the Nuggets.
“I feel I would like a break, however total I really feel high-quality. I really feel good,” he says. “It’s my job to be right here each evening. I need to be right here for my group and supply vitality, physicality and be that pressure down low. I really feel fairly good. I’m not exhausted however I’m prepared for the break.