No team in the NBA has beaten the Clippers more than once this season, let alone three times like the Warriors.
ORACLE ARENA — The legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is still being honored today. In the Bay Area, the message means as much or more now than it did 50 years ago when Dr. King spoke in the Nation’s capital and gave his famous “I Have A Dream” speech.
The Warriors continued their tradition of playing an annual matinée game in his honor and this year, they hosted the resurgent Los Angeles Clippers.
Golden State has struggled of late, losing five of six before getting a clutch win at New Orleans.
Post-Game Audio: Warriors Guard Jarrett Jack
Taking on the Clips (32-10), who have the best record in the Western Conference, the Warriors were ready to face their rivals from Southern California.
Although Los Angeles would build up a 7-point lead late in the third quarter using a 15-2 run, the Warriors would come back and close it out in the fourth quarter. Tied at 90 with five minutes remaining, Golden State would go on a decisive 14-7 run and go on to win it 106-99.
Warriors point guard Stephen Curry had a game high 28 points. Six of his nine baskets made where from 3-point range:
Post-Game Audio: Warriors Guard Stephen Curry
“Continue to play some good ball that we’ve been playing and it’s just a good sign for us and we have to keep fighting through this tough stretch in January that we knew was going to come. We’ve been playing pretty well throughout this whole month.”
Collectively, Golden State continues to play unselfish basketball, a welcome sight from the Monta Ellis days. Talented, yes, but he did not share. And without distributing the ball to get everyone involved, the team stagnated.
This season, the Warriors are 25-15, two wins better than last year. At ten games over .500, Golden State is 5th place in the West. Keep in the mind the top eight teams qualify for the playoffs.
Warriors guard Klay Thompson added 18 points:
Post-Game Audio: Warriors Guard Klay Thompson
“It’s a testament to how much we’ve grown as a team because they’re one of the better teams in the NBA, their record proves it. … With the Lakers, and Kings it’s a California rivalry so you love winning against them. We’re a good matchup for them as far as on our side. It means a lot.”
The Warriors are the only NBA team to have beaten the Clippers more than once this season. Clippers guard Jamal Crawford said:
“That’s a young team that’s improving, for sure, but we have our sights set on trying to play in June. … I’m not saying they don’t. But we’re looking at bigger goals than celebrating everything.”
Three of the 10 losses by the Clippers are courtesy of the Warriors who won three of four in the season series. … Injured center Andrew Bogut ran full-court sprints before the game. Bogut has missed 36 games and hasn’t played since November 7th. … The Warriors announced that F Brandon Rush underwent successful surgery on his injured left knee on Jan. 16. Rush has been out since Nov. 2 and will remain sidelined the rest of the season as he continues to rehab from the injury.
Post-Game Audio: Warriors Head Coach Mark Jackson
A Bay Area theater company is mashing up Gilbert & Sullivan with Gene Roddenberry.
