Dallas Mavericks guard Spencer Dinwiddie (26) drives to the basket against Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) during the first half at the Chase Center on Sat Feb 4, 2023 (AP News photo)
By Jerry Feitelberg
The Golden State Warriors hosted the Dallas Mavericks Saturday night at the Chase Center. The Mavs came into town without the services of their All-World star Luka Doncic. Doncic suffered a heel contusion in his last game and could not play.
On the other hand, the Warriors had all their All-Star players back in the lineup. Draymond Green and Klay Thompson were back in the lineup with Stephen Curry. However, Curry suffered a knee injury late in the third quarter. X-rays were negative, but Curry will undergo an MRI to see if there was any damage.
At this point in the game, the Warriors led by 16. As in Minnesota last Wednesday night, the Warriors played poorly in the fourth quarter but held on to win 119-113.
The Warriors did everything right in the first half. They ran the court, making three-point shots as they sent a message to Dallas that the Mavericks were in for a rough night. The Warriors led by 15 at the end of the first half, 73-58.
The Mavs fought back in the third period but could not make any headway in closing the deficit as the Warriors won the quarter 29-28. Curry left the game with about two minutes to play in the third period.
Then came the fateful fourth quarter. Knowing the Warriors blew large leads in several games this year, the Mavericks came out firing. Dallas was making stops on defense. The Warriors were committing turnovers, fouling, and their shot selection left much to be desired. The fans were getting nervous as Dallas kept creeping closer.
With just 1;28 left to play, Tim Hardaway, Jr. connected on a three-pointer to bring Dallas within five points, 116-111. Fortunately, the Warriors defense prevailed, and the Warriors were able to pick up the win.
Game Notes: With the win, the Warriors are 27-26 for the year. The Mavs are now 28-26. The Mavs are 0-7 in games without Doncic.
Curry led the team with 21 points. Green had a fantastic performance for the Warriors. Green knocked down 17 points and nine rebounds, and nine assists. Green made a terrific defensive play near the end of the fourth quarter that took the wind out of the Mavs’ sails.
The other Green on the Warriors, JaMychal Green, knocked down 14, and Thompson also had 15. Jonathan Kuniga and Donte DiVincenzz each had 13. Kevon Looney was solid again and added ten more for the Warriors.
Spencer Dinwiddie led the Maverick’s attack with 25. Hardaway, Jr. had 22, and Dorian Finney-Smith added 18.
After the game, Warriors coach Steve Kerr had this to say about the team’s performance “I think when we get down the stretch, we stop doing the things that worked,” Draymond said. “When you have something that works all game long, you don’t go away from it.”
The Warriors meet the Oklahoma City Thunder Monday night at the Chase Center. The game will start at 7 pm.
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