The Golden State Warriors played what was probably their worst game of the season, losing after OT to the decimated Indiana Pacers. Even 39 points from Stephen Curry are not enough.
New York Knicks (22-24) – New Orleans Pelicans (17-28) 91:102 (BOXSCORE)
- If it’s not already uncomfortable in New York, things got a little more uncomfortable against the Pelicans. Loud boos could be heard in the third quarter at Madison Square Garden, and the fans didn’t want to be blamed for the catastrophic section of the Knicks. The Knicks gave up the 12 minutes at 15:35 and were already 24 points behind at that point.
- It was the old story, the Knicks’ starters disappointed across the board. The offense stagnated and made it more than easy for New Orleans. In the first half, free throws, offensive rebounds and weak shooting by the Pelicans (2/13 3FG) kept the Knicks in the game (42:46), but things quickly went downhill after that.
- Devonte’ Graham scored 12 of his 15 points in the third period as the visitors struck six of nine trebles in those 12 minutes. The Pels’ top scorer was Jonas Valanciunas (18, 10 rebounds), Brandon Ingram (15) missed out in the fourth quarter with an ankle injury. Josh Hart (17) and backup guard Jose Alvarado (13, 6/9) also did well ).
- The reservists of the Knicks around Immanuel Quickley (14), Alec Burks (13) and Quentin Grimes (13) reared up again in the final quarter, but the Knicks did not come closer than 9 points. Mitchell Robinson (17, 15 rebounds) was the only starter allowed to play in the last 12 minutes. Julius Randle (4, 1/9, 7 rebounds, 6 assists) was once again shockingly weak.
Dallas Mavericks (26-20) – Phoenix Suns (35-9) 101:109 (MATCH REPORT)
Golden State Warriors (32-13) – Indiana Pacers (17-29) 117:121 OT (BOXSCORE)
- What a surprise! Indiana started without five potential starters, in contrast to the win over the Lakers the day before, Domantas Sabonis, Malcolm Brogdon and Caris LeVert were also missing this time, and the Pacers still celebrated their second away win in a row. In overtime, point guard Keifer Sykes (10, 4/12) scored. The playmaker scored 5 points in a row in overtime, and the Warriors were unable to make up for the 5-point deficit.
- The dubs caught a classic off-night, apart from the good performance of Stephen Curry (39, 12/27 FG, 6/16 three-pointers, 8 assists). Without Curry, the Warriors only sunk 3 of 26 three-point attempts. But Curry also has to get his act together, about 20 seconds before the end of extra time he was completely blank on the perimeter, but missed the chance to equalize. Indiana finished the OT with an 11-2 run.
- Indiana was 8 points down at the break, but turned it up in the third period and also survived a good Warriors phase in the fourth quarter, when Gary Payton II revived the game of dubs and Goga Bitadze gave such a beautiful posterthat the Georgian dealt a small headbutt and was then ejected. But rookie big Isaiah Jackson also got a chance and did a good job. 6 seconds before the end in the final section Justin Holiday (16, 4/9 threes) sent Downtown’s game into overtime.
- Alongside Curry, Kevon Looney (13, 15 rebounds) and the hapless Klay Thompson (12, 0/7 threes) scored in double digits, with Andre Iguodala (4, 4 blocks) the top reservist. Andrew Wiggins (9, 4/14) hardly hit anything. The Pacers’ top scorer was rookie Chris Duarte, who ended his career high with 27 points. Indiana ultimately won the game on the three-point line, the guests sinking a strong 43 percent (15/35).
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