Golden Gate Home Stretch

“This upcoming home stretch will be the most important stretch of the season…” -- Monta Ellis

Justin Libaste January 15, 2011
Bay Area Sports Drive

Roughly, 20,000 fans filled the Oracle Arena with the “LA Buzz” lingering around from the Wednesday night game against the heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. To add to the buzz, the return of Baron Davis, Point Guard for LA Clippers, look to even a score against his former team. In addition, most of all, the Blake Griffin, Power Forward for LA Clippers, experience.

The official ball tip-off tipped off at 7:42pm. With no hesitation, The Warriors started-off with a bang. Stephen Curry, Point Guard for the Warriors, shoots a perfect 2-for-2 from the arch until he finally missed his third attempt at the 5-minute mark.

As fans anticipate Griffin’s dunk spree, David Lee thought otherwise dunking on Griffin. Monta did not lose his focus from the previous game and started off hot shooting a three while the shot clock wines down.

Not only Baron Davis, who is a former Warrior, makes his return to the Oracle but also another former Warrior makes his return. Ike Diogu, who was drafted in the 1^st round in the 2005 draft by the Golden State Warriors, returns to his first home in the NBA. Ironically, it wasn’t Davis who made an impact in the game but Diogu was a huge impact off the bench by slamming a huge dunk on David Lee.  As the 1^st Quarter came to a close, it was a very high scoring game with the Clippers leading 39-35.

As the 2^nd Quarter began, the battle between starting Power Forwards took notice with David Lee, Golden State Warriors, & Blake Griffin, Los Angeles Clippers, physically trying to post up in the paint. Griffin took his hook shot while Lee, on the other court, drove it in for a lay-up adding a free throw to go with the foul while attempting the shot.

Unfortunately, foul troubles had its toll in the game as Ellis committed his 3^rd foul with 6 minutes left in the quarter. That did not stop the Warriors as Dorell Wright, Small Forward for Warriors, & Stephen Curry, Point Guard for Warriors, took over the game. Curry buried his 4^th three of the half while Wright started to heat up and shoots his first three in the half.

The 1^st half came to a close with the Warriors leading to a very high scoring half at 69-62.  Ellis finished the half with an extraordinary 21 points and perfect from the line and Curry with his 4 makes from the arch. While on the other hand, the LA Clippers’ Griffin & Gordon shared 13 points each and Diogu with 11 from the bench.

With both teams shooting high percentages, it would be normal for them to lose their fire.  Well that was not in the minds of these players as D. Wright opens the half with a 24-foot three-point jumper. Adding to that three, Reggie Williams comes out of the bench shooting another three for the Warriors. 

3rd Quarter was more of a sloppy quarter as the tensions between players and refs rise with obvious no-calls. However, the most interesting decision that happened was Keith Smart pulling Curry off the court for Reggie Williams. Curry did not play majority of the quarter. The 3^rd quarter ended as the Warriors lead the Clippers 94-86.

The Warriors knew what the Clippers are capable to do when the Clippers dominated the 14-point game deficit win over the Warriors. The Clippers were able to tie the game 96 apiece as they were making a run for the lead.  Keith Smart knew the situation that it was going to be a close game. He then decided to bring back the high-scoring backcourts of Monta & Stephen back in the court. As Ellis comes back in the game, the long rest rustiness did not affect him by busting a three from the arch.

As clippers answer each shot from the Warriors with a pair of three’s from Gordon, the Warriors started to step on the pedal and pulled away from the Clippers with Vladimir making clutch shots beyond the arch. Clippers lost their momentum and were not able to keep up with the Warriors.

As the final buzzard rings, the Warriors came out of the game with a win 122-112 over the Los Angeles Clippers. A convincing win over the Clippers certainly has started this home stretch in a positive way. Ellis finished the game with 30 points and 6 assists while Curry had an outstanding game beyond the arch with 5 made-three’s. David Lee had an amazing game finishing 19 points, 9 boards including with 6 assists.

Both Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon had 28 points each as Griffin adds another double-double for the year with 13 boards. Baron Davis finished with 15 points not making an impact in the game.

The Warriors were impressive on the Defensive side of the ball. Even though they let the Clippers score more than 110+ they kept the high-flying Clippers in the perimeter game.  Griffin had 28 points but the dunk leader in the league was only kept to 1 dunk throughout the whole night. Warriors did a great job in containing Griffin in the perimeter and keeping the Clippers shoot the ball from the perimeter. Clippers were 3 of 14 from beyond the arch.

The Warriors did their part in the offensive side. Making 14, three’s attempting 26.  As they look forward to a stretch filled with home games, 24 out of 27 at home, the Warriors look to improve their record before the All-Star break. They currently stand third in their division but with this home stretch, the Warriors look to take advantage and hopefully gain ground in the playoff hunt. 

Photo Gallery by Gerome Wright BASD
http://www.bayareasportsdrive.com/warriors_vs_clippers-photo_gallery_1-15-2011.htm