No Full Squad, No Problem: Golden State Warriors Take Care Of Sacramento Kings 101-92

Feb 19, 2014; Sacramento, CA, USA; Sacramento Kings small forward Rudy Gay (8) and Golden State Warriors small forward Andre Iguodala (9) reach for the ball during the second quarter at Sleep Train Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Golden State Warriors have been quite banged up this year, but this didn’t matter tonight as they were able to handle their business and take care of the Sacramento Kings 101-92 after the All-Star break on Wednesday night. Every player chipped in a little bit, creating a text-book perfect team win in this win. When everyone chips in, the Warriors win ballgames.

Turning the ball over just seven times Wednesday night, the Dubs took care of the basketball and attacked offensively. They were also solid, defensively speaking. In the first half, however, they were showing plenty of signs of weakness. They took the 59-50 halftime lead, but the Kings were having a field day from the inside because Warriors’ Center Andrew Bogut is sidelined for the fifth straight game. They gave up too many offensive rebounds to the Kings who capitalized on the extra possessions.

At the end of the first and second quarters, the Kings, or more specifically Travis Outlaw, who finished with a season-high 18 points, would make a nice jump shot or do something to trim the Warriors’ lead.

In the third quarter, the Kings made a huge run, turning a 15-point deficit into a two-point lead at one point. They were able to do this because Isaiah Thomas, the last pick in the draft in 2011, drove the ball and shot it well, leaving the Warriors with no answer to his newfound stroke. He scored 26 points on the night.

Luckily, Mark Jackson preached defense to the Warriors, and led by Draymond Green, who finished with 10 points and eight boards, the Warriors escaped with a few missed shots and were able to capitalize on the offensive end, en route to a nine-point win.

Stephen Curry finished with 13 points and eight assists, while David Lee scored 23 to go with 11 boards in Bogut’s absence, and Klay Thompson shot the ball nicely as well with 18 points to go with five dishes, three steals and a block.

Every single win counts from here till the rest of the season and Wednesday night, the Warriors really seemed like they were trying to get back on track. Of course, this means nothing against the Kings, who are not so great, but they will look to ride this momentum into their next couple of games.