Monday night was, in some ways, as expected.
It was a battle between two struggling teams, and with about 30 games remaining, they were aiming to pick up the pace and earn a spot in the postseason.
In other ways, the Warriors were held cold from beyond the arc for much of the first half, with Stephen Curry ultimately scoring 10 points in the second quarter and the Nets holding a six-point lead at halftime. It was such an amazing thing to see.
Despite a scoring slump and eight lead changes, the Warriors defeated the Nets 109-98 at Barclays Center, handing the home team its fourth loss in its last seven games.
Curry finished with a game-high 29 points despite making 4 of 11 from deep. The Warriors stars were helped by a double-double from Jonathan Kuminga (28 points, 10 rebounds) and Brandin Podzemski (15 points, 11 rebounds).
Cam Thomas led a balanced attack with six players scoring in double figures, led by 18 points. Nick Claxton was ejected in the fourth quarter for a Type 2 aggravated foul, but continued with 15 points and blocked seven shots, a career high.
Even coach Jacques Vaughn didn’t expect the cold start.
“We have to be very disciplined in our approach [Monday] And then you can move on to the next play, because they’re going to make a shot, and they’re going to make a hell of a shot. And then we just move on to the next play,” he said before the game.
The word “ridiculous” was nowhere to be found on Monday, so the Warriors turned to the paint and scored 72 points inside. They also dominated the Nets on the glass, grabbing 60 rebounds to Brooklyn’s 38.
Two consecutive dunks by Kuminga gave the Warriors an 8-3 lead in the third quarter, and they were within a point or two of the Nets before Golden State entered the fourth quarter with a 75-70 lead. Ta.
The Nets were stalling by the end.
Curry returned to the game with less than nine minutes remaining and was fed by the energy of Draymond Green’s wide-open layup and Lester Quinones’ easy jumper.
On the next possession, Curry missed a floater and grabbed his own rebound before scoring.
On the next play, he hit a step-back 3-pointer with 6:21 left to give the Warriors an 89-80 lead.
But the worst was to come when Podzemski grabbed an offensive rebound and was fouled by Claxton. Officials called it “unnecessary” and “offensive,” resulting in the ejection and putting the Nets on the back foot.
Royce O’Neal’s two 3-pointers kept the Nets trailing 94-88 with less than four minutes left.
However, the Nets’ lack of size came back to haunt them, giving up offensive rebounds and fouling the larger Warriors.
With less than three minutes remaining, O’Neal fouled Kuminga, who made one foul shot.
Moments later, Curry delivered the final blow for the Nets, driving the lane for two layups on the ensuing possession, earning a foul on the second and setting up a three-point play with 1:19 left in the game. It was set at 105-94.
