Dubs feel complete in win Tuesday
The Warriors entered Tuesday night’s game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden with its full starting lineup for the first time in three weeks.
With Stephen Curry (37 points on 9-of-22 shooting, six rebounds and six assists) back from a one-game absence, Kevon Looney playing his first game since spraining his left ankle on Feb. 2, James Wiseman returning from a sprained left wrist he suffered on Jan. 30, the Warriors beat the Knicks, 114-106, to avoid losing three straight for the first time this season and improve to 17-15.
Here are some takeaways from the game:
THE CENTERS MAKE AN IMPACT >> With both of their centers back in the lineup for the first time in 10 games, the Warriors got exactly what they needed from Looney and Wiseman. Looney (two points, six rebounds, four assists, plus-17) set strong screens, made timely passes and provided reliable defense. Wiseman, though he had his ups and downs, was productive with 14 points in 16 minutes. Wiseman had an ice pack on his wrist after the game but said he’s feeling “great,” and Looney said he is still getting his conditioning back after playing 20 minutes.
Having both centers available gave head coach Steve Kerr 12 healthy bodies for the first time in nearly a month. Though the Warriors found some success playing small during that stretch, the ability to match up with the Knicks’ bigs — particularly newlynamed All-Star Julius Randle (25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists) and Nerlens Noel (eight points, five rebounds, three blocks) — in the paint played a huge factor in Golden State staving off New York’s late comeback from 13 points down and hanging onto the win.
CURRY GOES OFF IN THE SECOND HALF>> In his first game back since being pulled moments before Saturday’s loss in Charlotte because he wasn’t feeling well, Curry got off to a slow start. By halftime, he had just 11 points and the Warriors trailed 59-55. But Curry lit up in the second half. He scored 15 points in the third quarter and 11 in the final 3:38 to help the Warriors pull away. Give the Knicks credit. They are third in the league in defensive rating (one spot ahead of Golden State) and defended Curry well. But there’s only so much that can be done against Curry’s shot-making and efficiency at the freethrow line.
THE SCORE
WARRIORS 114, KNICKS 106, TUESDAY
Wednesday: at Indiana, late Friday: vs. Charlotte, 7 p.m.
TV: NBC-BA
Online: For Wednesday’s recap between Warriors-Pacers, see santacruzsentinel.com/sports.