Identical points doom Warriors as story of season continues in loss to Lakers

Story of the season: Identical issues proceed to plague Dubs initially appeared on NBC Sports activities Bayarea

After spending a pair months trying to find protection and listening to Draymond Inexperienced ship the crew into the All-Star break with an pressing plea for it, the Warriors labored into the right alternative Thursday evening.

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Trailing a lot of the first half, a midrange jumper by Klay Thompson 13 seconds into the second half pulled them inside one level of the Lakers.

One cease, perhaps two, may change the power inside Crypto.com Area.

One cease, perhaps two, may enable the Warriors to grab that elusive element referred to as momentum and maybe experience it cathartic victory.

However no. Los Angeles scored 17 seconds later for a 62-58 lead and spent the following 5 minutes slicing by way of the Golden State protection.

A couple of blinks after being a bucket away from the lead, the Warriors had been trailing by 16 on their method to a 124-111 loss that dropped them under .500 (29-30) for the fifth time since New Yr’s Day.

“There have been a number of key stretches the place we had an opportunity,” coach Steve Kerr stated. “We had gotten ourselves again within the recreation, after which we simply couldn’t put it collectively. Couldn’t join the sport.

“It’s all proper there for us on tape. We’ll present them and hold teaching and hold attempting to get higher.”

If these sentiments appear acquainted, it’s as a result of they’re. And have been for many of this fitful season.

“Sadly, we’re fighting the identical points,” Kerr stated.

“We’ve simply received to be higher,” stated Kevon Looney, who was terrific, grabbing 15 rebounds in 20 minutes. “All yr, we’ve been saying we play good in stretches after which we now have a nasty stretch.”

Probably the most essential unhealthy stretch got here when the Warriors’ protection went comatose, permitting open 3-balls from the corners because the Lakers scored 20 factors in lower than 5 minutes – whereas the Warriors scored 5 – to take management.

Golden State by no means received nearer than seven within the third earlier than falling behind by as a lot as 28 (110-82) midway by way of the fourth.
When the Warriors desperately wanted their protection to indicate up, to present them a purpose to imagine they will make the late-season run required to keep away from the dreaded play-in event, they had been undone by the ingredient that’s threatening to steal their season.

“We’ve received to be higher,” Looney stated for the third time in three minutes. “We all know what we have to do. We’ve got acceptable power and the expertise to win. We’ve simply received to place all of it collectively.”

The Lakers blasted the Warriors whereas franchise gamers LeBron James and Anthony Davis mixed for 25 factors on 8-of-25 taking pictures from the sphere. LA gave Golden State 19 factors off turnovers, which was considerably offset by the Lakers’ 34-21 benefit in free throws.

Sure, the Warriors had been responsible of extreme fouling. Once more.

“We’ve received to cease reaching,” stated Ty Jerome, who got here off the bench to attain 20 factors. “We get so many low-cost fouls. We emphasize it a lot, like “hold our fingers again,” and we hold doing it.”

That has been the story of this season. Discuss in regards to the issues. Revisit the issues. Emphasize the options. And the identical issues proceed.

This being the primary recreation out of a weeklong break, the Warriors had been in place to make a press release. To show the defending champions will not be the bunch that wobbled by way of the primary 58 video games. The final 24 would show they’re higher than that.

Now, the rely is right down to the final 23 video games. It’s “go” time. Or “no” time.

“As a bunch, we all know that,” Looney. “We’ve got a way of urgency. We all know each recreation goes to matter for us down the stretch. We are able to’t push too onerous and gamble an excessive amount of and get overzealous. We’ve received to stay to the sport plan, keep disciplined and execute what the coaches are attempting to get carried out.

“We’ve received one other (recreation) tomorrow. We’ve received to maneuver on and attempt to repair all of the issues that we’ve been messing up on.”

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That recreation, in opposition to the Rockets Friday evening at Chase Heart, is why with the deficit grown to twenty (102-82) and 10:01 remaining, Kerr referred to as timeout, pulled his final two starters, and waved the white flag of give up.

On the evening – not the season.

Not but.

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