The Golden State Warriors have made it obvious that these least few games of the season are nothing but practice for the playoffs after securing the first seed last Thursday against the Phoenix Suns. This attitude was evident in Monday's night loss to the Utah Jazz, which broke the Warriors' 14 game win streak. With Klay Thompson being rested by head coach Steve Kerr. These Warriors were beaten 105-99 by a Utah Jazz team that had three starters injured when they played the Warriors Monday night and still had enough firepower to break the Warriors current winning streak which stood at 14 before this game.
Curry and Durant's efforts were not enough
Stephen Curry contributed with a game-high of 28 points, continuing his recent blistering form as of recent, but was sat out the whole fourth quarter by coach Kerr. Kevin Durant who was playing his second game back after a five-week vacancy with a knee injury contributed with 16 points, and team-highs in both rebounds and assists with ten rebounds and six assists. This stat line Durant posted was also coincidentally the same totals he posted in return game on Saturday against the Pelicans. Durant also played 32 minutes.
The Golden State Warriors (66-15) started the game with an 8-9 record when they convert fewer three-pointers than their opponent, and Monday night this occurred.
The Utah Jazz shot 12-of-34 from the three-point line, compared to the Warriors who shot 9-of-23. Utah Jazz's veteran point guard George Hill lead with a team-high 20 points to lead the Jazz (50-31) to victory, this win is one step closer to the Jazz securing home-court advantage against the Los Angles Clippers in the upcoming first round of the playoffs.
Stephen Curry was the night's standout performer as he led the Golden State Warriors whenever he was on the court. Curry finished with a stat line of 28 points (which included 9-of 16 shooting from the floor, including 6-of-8 from the three-point line), four assists and four rebounds. Curry played 30 minutes and finished with a plus-minus of plus-9.
The turning point in the game was after an Andre Iguodala mid-range jumper gave the Warriors an 84-83 lead with 6:50 left remaining in the match. The Utah Jazz then answered with a 10-2 going up by 93-86 with 4:07 left to play. The Warriors never managed to regain the lead or tie the game after that point with the closing the Warriors got to was being behind 2 (96-4), after a James Michael McAdoo three-pointer with 2:09 remaining.
Injuries were taking their toll on both teams
Both teams were suffering from injuries. For the Golden State Warriors, the injury list was as followed. Forward Matt Barnes suffering from a right ankle/foot sprain, Forward Kevon Looney suffering from a left hip strain, Guard Klay Thompson has rested this game, and Centre Damian James is on assignment with the Santa Cruz Warriors of the NBA Development League.
For the Utah Jazz, the injury list was as followed. Forward Gordan Hayward is suffering from a left quad contusion, Forward Derrick Favours suffering from left knee soreness, Guard Rodney Hood suffering from right knee soreness and Guard Raul Neto was suffering from a left ankle sprain. Guard George Hill was suffering from a right groin strain and was listed as questionable before but was made available to play.
The Golden State Warriors close out their regular season against the Los Angeles Lakers, while for the Utah Jazz they also close out their regular season on Wednesday night, against the San Antonio Spurs.
