Warriors struggle at the rim and beyond the arc
SAN FRANCISCO >> The Warriors entered Wednesday night’s game against the Jazz looking to capitalize on three encouraging performances and a healthy lineup.
Instead, Golden State (10-36) regressed against Utah (31-13), as they fell behind by 15 in the first quarter, surrendered the most lopsided home loss in their new arena and their 12th loss in 13 games, and watched as fans filed to the exits before the game’s end.
Here are four takeaways from the Warriors’ 129-96 home loss to the Jazz.
GOLDEN STATE HAS A BIG PROBLEM >> The Warriors have struggled against traditional big men as of late. In a loss in Memphis, they gave up 31 points and 19 rebounds to Jonas Valanciunas. In a loss in Portland, Hassan Whiteside went for 17 points, 21 rebounds, and six blocks.
Then, on Wednesday, Jazz center Rudy Gobert 21 points on 10for-13 shooting, 15 rebounds (six offensive) and three blocks while posting a team high plus-31.
Golden State was also outrebounded 56 to 37. A significant reason for that was because the Jazz made 53.8% of their shots, compared to 39.8% for the Warriors — so they had more chances to rebound missed shots. However, it’s significant that Utah also
grabbed more offensive rebounds (15) than Golden State (11).
“They just dominated,” head coach Steve Kerr said. “They beat us in every way.”
Things will only get worse before they get better. With Kevon Looney still sidelined indefinitely with an abdominal strain, 7-footer Willie Cauley-Stein is the only real line of defense. Marquese Chriss is not considered a strong rim protector, nor is Omari Spellman.
Up next on the schedule: Indiana’s throw-back frontline of Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis and, potentially, Philadelphia’s Joel Embiid, who could return from a finger injury in time for Tuesday’s game.
THEY ALSO HAVE A MATH PROBLEM FROM BEYOND THE ARC >> With Stephen Curry (left-hand surgery) and Klay Thompson (left knee surgery) sidelined, the Warriors are missing their two most potent 3-point shooters.
While that’s been part of the problem with the offense, it’s also been a defense leaking 3-pointers that has created one of the worst gaps in the league from beyond the arc.
Golden State ranks last in the league with 10 3-pointers made while giving up the third-most 3-pointers (13.3) in the NBA. That discrepancy results in a 9.9 point per game advantage for the opponent — tied with the Knicks for the worst such mark in the league.
On Wednesday, the Warriors went 1-for-6 from beyond the arc to start the game and gave up 17 3-pointers
to the Jazz while making just six by the end.
“One of the many things we’re up against this year,” Kerr said.
DRAYMOND GREEN'S TECHNICAL FOUL >> Midway through the third quarter of the blowout loss, Gobert converted a putback attempt after rebounding a missed Bojan Bogdanovic jumper to give Utah a 30-point lead. Frustrated, Green slammed the ball to the ground, prompting a whistle from the official.
With that, Green is now up to 12 technical fouls on the season, four away from a suspension.
“It’s been a tough stretch,” Kerr said. “Traditionally, January is a tough month for the NBA, fatigue-wise. When you’re losing a lot of games, and you’re beaten up, it’s not easy. I think we have lost 12 of 13. It’s no fun.
“Draymond got a technical for slamming the ball down, and I guess the official had to call it. Draymond came over and said, ‘You don’t think I’m frustrated?’ and the official said, ‘I know you are frustrated, but I have to call it.’ That’s how we feel. We are frustrated.”
FLEXED OUT >> If the Warriors weren’t flexed out of the national TV, the viewing public would have been subjected to watching this blowout. Instead, they got Zion Williamson’s debut. Williamson scored 17 straight points in the fourth quarter, totaling 22 points on 8-for-11 shooting, seven rebounds, and three assists in 18 exciting minutes during the Pelicans’ loss to the Spurs.
Golden State’s next nationally televised games are in Boston (Jan. 30) and in Brooklyn (Feb. 5). For now.