We made a big deal when Stephen Curry returned from injury and delivered a flawless game for the Warriors in a big Game 2 win. It was a sign that Golden State was once again unstoppable.
Except in Game 3, the Pelicans stopped them cold. New Orleans won by 19 at home on Friday, scoring at will while forcing Golden State (to some degree) to shoot poorly. Curry was back in the starting lineup. He nor any of the Warriors’ other All-Stars shot better than 44 percent. Curry actually went 6-19 from the floor, with more turnovers (three) than assists (two). That core four was a minus-13 on the night in about 22 minutes. That’s horrible!
Meanwhile, the Warriors’ defense was pitiful, with the three primary New Orleans scorers (Anthony Davis, Jrue Holiday, and Nikola Mirotic) each shooting 50 percent or better, Rajon Rondo racking up 21 assists to four turnovers, and Ian Clark exploding for an efficient 18 off the bench. This was a pure pummeling.
Is this a sign? The Rockets, after all, shredded the Jazz later on Friday. Houston looms as a real threat if the Warriors get by the Pelicans. In 2006, after Curry came back from injury, he was really good most nights ... but not every night. Tom Haberstroh recently wrote about that run capping a 73-win season but falling short in the NBA Finals. Are there shades of that here? It’s worth keeping in mind, even though Golden State now has Kevin Durant to pick up the mantle when Curry doesn’t have it. And if the Cavaliers end up skating through the East after their first round scare ... a potential re-re-rematch in the Finals get a little more interesting.
Friday’s Scores
Pelicans 119, Warriors 100
Golden State leads 2-1
Recaps: The Bird Writes | Golden State Of Mind
Rockets 113, Jazz 92
Houston leads 2-1
Recaps: The Dream Shake | SLC Dunk
Saturday’s Schedule
Celtics at Sixers, 5 p.m. ET, ESPN
Boston leads 2-0
Raptors at Cavaliers, 8:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Cleveland leads 2-0
Links on Links on Links
As I mentioned up top, the Rockets punted the Jazz hard. Donovan Mitchell had the worst game of his postseason. But hey, that’s no reason to skip by Tim Cato’s awesome piece on how Spida has been studying to be Rookie of the Year his whole life.
Part of the reason the Cavaliers are up 2-0: J.R. Smith playoff resurgence.
Tyler Tynes on the despair that will test but not break Sixers fans.
Brett Brown put Ben Simmons back in the game with five minutes to go despite the rookie having a really rough night and Boston mounting a comeback. Was it the right move?
Emmet Ryan on the barriers Igor Kokoskov broke. Speaking of coaches and barriers, Becky Hammon will get an interview for the Bucks’ open job.
Zito Madu runs through LeBron’s epic Game 2 using Jay Z lyrics.
Despite his succcess in Europe, no one expected Joe Ingles to become a major factor in the NBA.
Ken Berger on the most important person for David Fizdale to win over as he takes the Knicks head coaching job.
Otto Porter was one of the Wizards’ few bright spots, writes Kevin Broom.
Be excellent to each other.
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