Mannion helps SC win 7th straight
Opponents held under 100 points for 3rd time in past 4 games played
The Santa Cruz Warriors’ suffocating defense has been a steady force as the team continues to build chemistry despite having a revolving door backcourt that has been hampered by injuries.
The Warriors held an opponent to under 100 points for the third time in four games, and pulled away from the Long Island Nets 108-88 on Saturday for their NBA G League leading seventh straight win at HP Field House in Orlando.
“It’s really one of the things we’ve been preaching, staying connected on defense,” Warriors coach Kris Weems said, “making sure the other team takes tough shots. And then, we have to finish possessions and keep them from getting on the glass. I feel like we did a good job of that.”
Rookie Nico Mannion, a twoway guard for Golden State playing his second straight game after sitting out with a thigh contusion, scored 17 of his team-high 25 points in the second half.
With the win, the Warriors (83) moved into a four-way tie for second place in the standings with Austin (8-3), Raptors 905 (83) and Oklahoma City (8-3). There are four game left in the Covd-19 shortened regular season. The top eight teams make the playoffs.
“It’s nice to think about, but I don’t want to get ahead of myself,” Weems said. “And I sure don’t want my team to lose focus. I want us to stay locked in on what we’re trying to do, which is to get better every game. The postseason will work itself out.”
The Warriors and Austin square off Sunday in Orlando at 8 a.m. Nine-year NBA veteran Jeremy Lin will likely return to Santa Cruz’s lineup after sitting the past five games with back soreness. He last played Feb. 18, when he scored 27 points against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.
Weems listed Lin’s chances of
playing at 60-70%, calling it a game-time decision.
Santa Cruz was relentless in its rebounding effort against Long Island and held a 51-34 advantage.
“We have a lot of guys who understand the game,” Mannion said. “I think that’s big, defensively. Because if I make a mistake, I know someone’s got my back because they read the game the same way I do. But we really do take pride in that. I think the athleticism that we have really helps us. That leads to fast breaks and open 3s.”
Long Island’s Kaiser Gates, who finished with a team-high 16 points, tied the score at 72-all on his 3-pointer to open the fourth quarter. That lit a fire under the Warriors, who had twice seen 13-point lead evaporate.
Santa Cruz went on a 23-6 run over the next seven minutes, thanks in part to five made 3-pointers, two each from reserve guard Ryan Taylor and forward Nate Hinton.
Taylor made five of his team’s 16 3-pointers and finished with 16 points, and Hinton, a two-way guard/ forward on assignment from the Dallas Mavericks, had 13 points and five rebounds in 22 minutes.
Forward Axel Toupane, who has reached double digits in scoring in all seven games he’s played, and guard Jordan Poole, on assignment from Golden State, each finished with 12 points. Kaleb Wesson, fell shy of his sixth double-doubles this season. He had nine point and nine rebounds off the bench.
Toupane, who played in the NBA from 2015-17, is deserving of a 10-day contract, Weems said.
“I fully expect him to get a call up,” the coach said. “It’s just what he brings to the table. He doesn’t need the ball, and yet he can finish and shoot 3s. He’s a good ball handler, he’s a good team guy. He’s proven that in his overseas career and he’s proven that in the G League. I hope he gets the opportunity. He’s definitely earned it.”
The Warriors led 50-37 at the half despite sloppy offensive play from both teams. They had a combined 16 turnovers and 34 missed 3-pointers.
Santa Cruz settled down and finished with 14 turnovers. And it heated up from long range, making 10 3s in the second half.
Santa Cruz was relentless on the defensive end thoughout, and outrebounded the Nets 29-14 over the opening 24 minutes. The Warriors found their rhythm in the final two minutes of the second quarter and closed with a 12-0 run, including five points from Wesson.
Warriors guard Dusty Hannahs, coming off a season-best 21-point effort Thursday, rolled his left ankle driving to the basket with 7:30 left in the first quarter and exited the game. He’s questionable for Sunday’s game.
Reggie Perry, a two-way forward/center on assignment from Brooklyn, had 15 points and eight rebounds for the Nets (4-7). Reserve Elie Okobo had 11 points and eight assists, and guard BJ Johnson added 10 points.