Warriors take down league-best Utah Jazz
Golden State snaps 4-game losing streak in win over Utah
Stephen Curry scored 32 points and Andrew Wiggins had 28 as the Warriors beat the Utah Jazz, 131-119, Sunday afternoon at Chase Center.
Not only did the win snap a four-game losing streak, it also served as a signature win over the team with the best record in the league and proof of concept for coach Steve Kerr’s revamped rotation.
Two straight days of practice before Sunday’s 1 p.m. PT tip allowed the Warriors time to iron out a new rotation that included more minutes for rookie center James Wiseman and a bench unit that featured a backcourt of second-year guard Jordan Poole and rookie Nico Mannion.
“It was great to have two days off,” Kerr said. “That allowed us to have a good practices that I think set the tone for today.”
After getting out to a 33-22 lead in the first quarter, Poole checked in and had 10 points in the second quarter to help maintain Golden State’s lead. By the third quarter, that lead was extended by as many as 15 points.
The Warriors did well to limit Utah’s offense that leads the league in 3-point shooting. On Sunday, the Jazz went 15-for-44 on 3-point attempts. Though All-Stars Donovan Mitchell (24 points), Rudy Gobert (24 points) and Mike Conley (23 points), and
presumptive Sixth Man of the Year Jordan Clarkson added 21 points off the bench, the rest of the Jazz struggled to make an impact.
“We wanted to be the aggressor the entire night,” Kerr said.
“That’s how you win games and that’s how you have to dig out of a four-game losing streak — with your defense — and, when you do that, the ball tends to go in.”