Warriors insist that dispute is ‘nothing’
Green, Durant involved in flap
OAKLAND, Calif. — Draymond Green approached Kevin Durant near the end of Golden State’s bench and quickly their discussion escalated into a heated dispute, both players punctuating their points with demonstrations. While the rest of the Warriors watched, a teammate eventually came over to keep the peace.
That flap during Saturday’s overtime loss at Sacramento wasn’t the first between the All-Stars, either.
Warring Warriors? Naw, no worries about a family feud for the NBA’s top team.
Green insists that’s all part of it from time to time and there is never any harm intended. Coach Steve Kerr considers it healthy and a positive once in a while.
“If you can’t, you’re probably on a losing team,” the fiery Green said Tuesday. “But everybody who makes a big deal out of it probably are losers. That’s how I view it. Anyone who knows anything about winning knows that that’s going to happen.”
Green and Durant squabbled on the court late in the third quarter after a mix-up led to a shot-clock violation. Soon after, Green could be seen on video walking toward Durant and yelling from close range while raising his hands in the air.
Green then took a seat on the bench and Durant came over to continue their argument, with Shaun Livingston playing peacemaker.
“We know it’s really nothing. It’s constructive to try to understand how we’re going to get better,” Warriors star Stephen Curry said Tuesday.
Green wouldn’t say exactly what was at issue moments after the Warriors’ 109-106 defeat, just that “it was actually a tactic, but that’s for us to know and for everyone else to figure out.” Green and KD also were teammates on the U.S. Olympic team that won gold in Rio last summer.
KINGS: DeMarcus Cousins has been handed his automatic one-game suspension for his 16th technical of the season. He also was fined $25,000 by the NBA on Tuesday for his actions during a 109-106 overtime win against the Golden State Warriors on Saturday night.
Cousins will sit out today’s home game against Boston. He picked up his 16th technical and second of the game with 1.1 seconds left in a 112-107 loss to Chicago on Monday night.
He also had one Saturday against Golden State that triggered the fine for his gesture and inappropriate words at referee Bill Spooner. Warriors coach Steve Kerr was ejected in the third quarter for his profanity-laden tirade directed at Spooner, and the reigning NBA Coach of the Year apologized Monday when he received a $25,000 fine.
From now on, every two technicals Cousins receives will result in another one-game suspension.
Tuesday’s games
ROCKETS 128, MAGIC
104: In Houston, James Harden had 25 points and 13 assists as Houston built a big lead early and held off a late rally to get a win over Orlando.
The Rockets had led by as many as 23 before the Magic begin chipping away at the lead.
It is Houston’s second straight win and the 10th loss in 13 games for the Magic. TRAIL BLAZERS 114, MAVERICKS 113: In Dallas, C.J. McCollum scored 32 points, the last two on a runner in the lane with 0.9 seconds left as Portland beat Dallas.
McCollum’s shot capped a final minute in which the two teams traded leads six times and Dirk Nowitzki hit two clutch 3-pointers, the second a potential game-winner with 3.9 seconds left. McCollum scored Portland’s last seven points. HORNETS 111, NETS 107: In Charlotte, N.C., Kemba Walker, Nicolas Batum and Marco Belinelli each had 17 points as Charlotte snapped a seven-game losing streak.
Charlotte (24-28) had not won since a Jan. 21 triumph over Brooklyn. The Nets lost their 10th straight game.