Golden State Warriors (9-8) at Sacramento Kings (4-10)
Tipoff: Sunday, 12/1/2013, 3:00PM PDT
Location: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, CA
TV: CSN Bay Area | Radio: KNBR 1050AM
Livetweet: @LetsGoWarriors (by @goldenstatenz)
It’s become clear that, as Coach Mark Jackson has said, the Warriors need to play 48 minutes, especially against elite teams like Oklahoma City.
What does that mean?
1. Limit turnovers. It’s becoming a broken record, or a CD stuck on repeat — guess there’s no equivalent MP3 metaphor these days? Anyways, again, this starts with Stephen Curry. When he limits turnovers, so does the team. He’s getting back into a rhythm, it seems, but this can’t be a “trap” game for him personally (he can’t take the Kings lightly).
2. Stay out of foul trouble. Earth to Andrew Bogut, come in Bogey! Oh, and Klay Thompson, are you there too? This also applies to bad offensive screens. You too, Jermaine O’Neal!
Really, that’s the formula. Two simple things. And a lot of it, I think, is due to fatigue and mental toughness, i.e., are you making bone-headed turnovers and decisions that will affect your play later in the game? The stamina just takes time. The more grind-it-out nailbiters, the better (for the playoffs in May).
However, these recent games that have tested the Warriors for 48 minutes, those are good. It builds you up for the playoffs, where every minute counts even more. You can see how the Warriors are tailing off towards the 4th quarter and crunch time this year. It should get better.
Although, it wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Warriors to blowout the Kings today. That would help with confidence and perhaps get the bench back on track. But the Number One issue for the Dubs right now is getting Andre Iguodala back and playing an entire four quarters, especially in crunch time.
Btw, Marcus Thompson points out that Bogey and JO are clicking:
The tandem of Jermaine O’Neal and Andrew Bogut is clicking on offense and defense.
Bogut and O’Neal, the last two games, have combined for 33 points and 30 rebounds. Including O’Neal’s throwback performance Tuesday in New Orleans, the Warriors are getting an average of 17 points on 65.7 percent shooting with 12.7 rebounds on the current trip.
Oh, and let’s see if sophomore Harrison Barnes can string two breakout performances together in a row.
Other things to look out for include Bogey’s battle against DeMarcus Cousins, per Sactown Royalty:
…DeMarcus Cousins battling Andrew Bogut. Cousins was locked up pretty tight in the first matchup, though he only played 18 minutes (8 points, 7 rebounds). He’s been the lion of the Kings’ starting lineup, so chances are he’ll get his chances. We’ll see how it goes. DeAndre Jordan had nine blocks, a few of them on Boogie, on Friday.
And here’s a nice report on the newly acquired Derrick Williams of the Kings from Cowbell Kingdom:
Williams had a solid debut against the Clippers two nights ago. He chipped in 12 points on 46.3 percent shooting and four assists to go along with a bevy of highlight-reel dunks and finishes. He’ll be matched up against a similarly athletic wing in Barnes, who’s starting in place of the injured Andre Iguodala.
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