© Kyle Terada | 2019 Jan 31
OAKLAND — The Warriors lost 113-104 to the Philadelphia 76ers at Oracle Arena on Thursday. Here are three observations:
Warriors feel Klay’s absence as winning streak is snapped at 11
Klay Thompson was a late scratch 30 minutes before game time with an undisclosed illness. Golden State was not able to overcome his absence in their first game of the season vs. the NBA Finals hopeful Philadelphia 76ers. The loss ended the Warriors winning streak at 11 games, and is their first loss since DeMarcus Cousins entered the fold six games ago.
The contest was ultimately decided in the third quarter, when the Sixers outscored the Warriors 42-26 in the frame, taking a nine point lead into the fourth.
While the Warriors winning streak ended, Stephen Curry’s hot streak continued. The two-time MVP dropped 41 points while going 10-18 from downtown. Unfortunately, the rest of the team went a combined 1-20 from downtown, with Kevin Durant hitting the lone shot late in the fourth quarter.
As the below videos indicate, Curry put on a show in the first half.
Steph just hit a three and pointed at Reggie Miller as he ran by ?? pic.twitter.com/YANI2mI37a
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 1, 2019
DeMarcus Cousins offensive board ➡️ Stephen Curry 4-point play pic.twitter.com/ye0iZ8fiKs
— KNBR (@KNBR) February 1, 2019
In tonight’s edition of #StephGonnaSteph…
? @NBAonTNT pic.twitter.com/2CmSwFGaKq
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) February 1, 2019
HOW DID STEPH MAKE THIS?! pic.twitter.com/cDZBMGcRS5
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) February 1, 2019
Embiid gets the best of Cousins in center’s home debut
Thursday night was DeMarcus Cousins’ first test against an elite center in Joel Embiid, and was proof that the Warriors big man still has a ways to go before he’s back in the conversation for the league’s best. Embiid was spectacular, especially when guarded by Kevon Looney who he abused for a stretch late in the third quarter.
Even when matched up against a load like Cousins, Embiid’s 7-foot-3 frame is a problem for opposing centers on both ends of the court. Embiid finished with 26 points and 20 rebounds in 34 minutes.
Though the Warriors tried to mostly avoid the one-on-one matchup between the two centers, the times that the two faced off provided for good entertainment. Perhaps the best moment came in the second quarter after Cousins and Embiid shared words. Embiid began the next possession by pulling up for a three at the top of the key and missing it, leading to a Warriors fast break. Cousins beat Embiid down the court, and dunked it, with the two exchanging pleasantries afterward.
Overall Cousins had his worst night as a Warrior, finishing with just seven points in 25 minutes, while going 3-10 from the field.
Embiid misses the 3 + Cousins beats Embiid down the floor for a dunk + Cousins talks trash + Embiid signals for Cousins to shut up = FUN! pic.twitter.com/BvLTZTpZHN
— Drew Shiller (@DrewShiller) February 1, 2019
Rough night for the bench
Perhaps the deciding factor — especially with Thompson out — was the Warriors lack of bench scoring. The second unit was outscored 31-16 and went 0-for-6 from downtown. Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston both had particularly rough nights. Iguodala didn’t score a single point in 26 minutes, while Livingston was a game worst -14 in 15 minutes.
On the other end, the nondescript duo of Landry Shamat and Jonah Bolden all had solid nights. Shamat scored 10 points in 16 minutes while going a game best +11, while Bolden was +10. Mike Muscala also had a number of crucial defensive plays down the stretch.
Philly defense overwhelming pic.twitter.com/uaSAU0GkIV
— BBALLBREAKDOWN (@bballbreakdown) February 1, 2019
The Warriors will look to get back on track Saturday when LeBron James and the Lakers come to town.