Stuntin’ In Miami

Draymond Green put in a basket with 0.9 seconds remaining in the game to put the Warriors up 97-95 and Golden State (15-7) knocked off the defending champion Miami Heat (14-6) on their own court. Golden State is now 5-0 on their current season long 7 game road trip and 9-4 on the road this season. In what is possibly the biggest win that the franchise has had since knocking off the Dallas Mavericks in the 2007 playoffs, Golden State has put themselves on the national map. Although Lebron James finished with 31 points, Golden State limited him to just 5 assists and 3 rebounds. The Warriors defense did just enough to stop Lebron and the rest of his teammates, especially down the final stretch. Golden State, who lead most of the game, found themselves down 95-91 with 2:40 to go in the 4th quarter but did not allow Miami to score the rest of the game, eventually scoring the go ahead bucket and potential game winner with 0.9 seconds remaining. With the Heat denying Steph Curry the ball all game, Klay Thompson had a big first half and carried the Warriors into the locker room leading, finishing with 27 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists on 11-21 shooting, including 5 three pointers. But Heat Coach Eric Spoelstra found a way to limit Klay’s shots in the second half, putting the pressure on someone else to step up and hit big shots. That man was Jarrett Jack. Jack scored 20 points on 9-14 shooting and hit some big shots down the stretch. Even with Miami shutting down the Warriors two outside shooting threats in the second half, Golden State played as a team and found a way to beat the best team in the league. Lebron fouled hard by David Lee. David Lee had another double-double with 22 points and 13 rebounds, but the key to this Warriors win was limiting their own turnovers, limiting Miami second chance points, keeping the Miami off the free throw line, and simply taking what opportunities were given to them. When Curry and Thompson were being denied, they remained calm and passed the ball well until they found what was given to them. Every Warrior played a significant role, coach Mark Jackson has this team playing unselfish ball. They understand each role that they have and the jobs that they are out there to do. The play of Draymond Green, especially down the stretch, was key. Not only did he have the unpleasant job of having to defend Lebron James for 30 minutes, he also scored 7 points including the game winner and grabbed 7 rebounds. Since the injury to Richard Jefferson, Green has been a major spark off of the bench. Dwyane Wade was held to a dull night, scoring just 14 points. The Heat were rarely able to get out in transition and the Warriors did a great job of getting back on defense and moving their feat, keeping Miami off the free throw line. Wade and Lebron are known to live at the line and have done so in recent history against the Warriors. Golden State was able to contain them on Wednesday night, handing the Heat only their second home loss of the season. The Warriors finish off the final two games of their season long 7 game road trip in Orlando Friday night and Atlanta Saturday night, then have some very winnable games the rest of December. Playing their best ball of the season, they have a good opportunity to find themselves towards the top of the Western Conference by the New Year. The Warriors next game is Friday, December 14th @ the Orlando Magic. Tip off is at 4:00 PM Pacific Time. - Rich Peters The post Stuntin’ In Miami appeared first on Bay Area Sports Nut.