The Mavericks went on a 33-8 run to end the game and defeat the Warriors. 1:45
Heading into the fourth quarter of the Warriors game against the Mavericks on Sunday night, all arrows pointed toward an easy Golden State victory.
The Warriors defense had been good for three quarters. Their offense was free-flowing. They had a 21-point lead at one point and were up 19 at the end of the third. The Warriors lost to Dallas in the final 12 minutes because of a complete momentum shift.
The largest blown fourth-quarter lead in the NBA this season is by Golden State.
Warriors coach Steve Kerr said that they did not maintain their resilience down the stretch. We need to get better under pressure and maintain competence.
It is good to feel it because it is what it feels like in the playoffs, when you are playing against a really good team.
The deciding stretch of the game began at the 9:44 mark of the fourth and ended at the 1:30 mark. Dallas went on a 26-1 run for those 8 minutes.
Kerr credits the Mavericks push to Dallas going small and Spencer Dinwiddie catching fire, scoring 10 of his 24 points in the fourth.
He said that they tried a few different combinations to try to regain their footing. We missed some open shots and they seized the moment.
Stephen Curry said that they played great defense for 36 minutes. Our energy shifted when we missed a couple of shots. We start getting deflated when they score. For no reason.
Curry is correct that the Warriors defense early was very good. In the first half, the Mavericks were held to 2-of-11 shooting and forced three turnovers by the primary defender. Luka Doncic was held to just 1-of-8 shooting and four turnovers.
The defense of Golden State went south as the offense went south.
Kevon Looney said that they let their offense dictate their energy and spirit.
The Warriors have given up a large fourth-quarter advantage in three of their last four games, the most recent being against the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 16.
Curry said that they need to figure out how to maintain their energy when the shots are not falling. Even though it sucks to have to go through it, it was a good lesson to learn.
Curry and Kerr both believe that there are lessons the Warriors can take away from their game against the Mavericks.
It will not happen on its own. Golden State is far beyond the point of relying on Green and Iguodala.
Curry said that they have to bring an edge and that they can turn it into a positive. We have to do it.
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