Four-game losing streak is team’s longest since 2013
OAKLAND » If the Warriors’ latest loss gave you indigestion, you might want to hold off on these leftovers.
The Warriors got bullied by the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night and will enter today’s game against Portland on a four-game losing streak, their longest since spring 2013.
In a game Golden State had to have to stop the bleeding, it instead suffered its most-lopsided loss of the season, 123-95. That’s six losses in eight games for the Warriors (12-7).
Flexing its superior frontline, Oklahoma City scored 66 points in the paint. Up against rugged Steven Adams, Warriors center Damian Jones had zero rebounds in 21 minutes.
“He’s just got to continue to grow and learn,” said Warriors coach Steve
Kerr. “He’s a young player and every game is a learning experience. Tonight he was going up against one of the very best centers in the game. He’s a load down there. We’ll stay positive with Damian. He’s going to get better.”
The Thunder won despite getting only 11 points from Russell Westbrook. (He still finished with a triple- double, his first of the season; 11 rebounds and 13 assists). Paul George scored 25 points, adding nine rebounds, and Dennis Schroder had 32, helping Oklahoma City hold off a third- quarter run by the Warriors. THIS TEAM STILL CAN’T
SHOOT » This seems like an evergreen takeaway. On Wednesday the Warriors shot just 43 percent from the field — including a putrid 29.4 percent in the fourth quarter when they were outscored 36-16.
Since Nov. 8, the Warriors are shooting just 45 percent from the field. Part of the reason for the team’s shooting woes is the Warriors’ stagnant offense. Without Stephen Curry in the lineup, the Warriors resort to dumping the ball in the post to Kevin Durant and playing through that action.
When Durant struggles — as he has done over the last two weeks — the team has trouble finding quality looks. THIS TEAM NEEDS CURRY
BACK » Since Curry went down with a strained groin, the Warriors have gone 2-5 over the stretch — posting a 104.3 offensive rating.
Curry’s absence has corresponded with subpar play from Durant and Klay Thompson. While Durant is averaging 27.9 points per game, he’s shooting 41 percent from the field, including 18 percent from 3-point range. Meanwhile, Thompson — who finished with 27 points Wednesday — has made only 18 of 67 threepoint attempts (26.8 percent) since Curry’s injury.
Offensive struggles without Curry aren’t new for Golden State. Last season, the team posted a 122.8 rating when he was on the floor — a number that dropped to 107 when he went to the bench. This season the team is averaging 122 points per game when Curry is on the floor — with a record of 102. Without Curry, the Warriors are 2- 5, scoring just 104 points per game.