RECAP: Warriors 120, Heat 113: And his name is ... Azubuike (Part II)!

by YaoButtaMing on Dec 8, 2007 10:23 AM PST in Recaps Comment 22 comments

The Miami Heat played like the Miami Heat for 43 minutes. And then the Golden State Warriors played like the Golden State Warriors for 5. If you were at the game last night, then you were treated to one of the best games of the year. Down most of the game, the Warriors pulled it out and have proven to us they can now consistently close out games. One or two years ago we would have been on the other side, winning for most of the game and then folding at the end, but not anymore!

The Heat came off a loss to the Portland Trailblazers the night before so I knew they would be hungry for a win, but hopefully a little winded. It sure didn't seem that way for the first half and most of the third. Up by 10 at the half, the Heat cruised through the third and I was worried we were too flat to pull this out. Dwyane Wade has now resurrected to his "Flashy" ways. Scoring 33 point and dishing 10 assists, he controlled most of the game getting to the charity stripe 12 times (making 11 of them). It seemed as though they knew how to control the tempo, and as our shots clanked off the rim they pushed the fast break against us. As the fourth quarter was dwindling down and we were losing by 10 points, we had a couple breaks in our favor. First, Riley kept Shaq out which surprised me. Second, to my surprise we actually hit our free throws and made a world record 86% of them (saracasm folks).

Honestly ... how good is he!

This in turn led to what was an exciting 5 minute end and another opportunity for me to gleefully adore Azubuike. Here is my transcript if you didn't see it:

5:00 remaining: Down by 8 the Heat rebounded a missed Warrior shot and pushed a 2 on 1 fast break. Bukee (as Baron calls him) stood fast and took a charge which turned the momentum to our side and the crowd crazy scale to 8.

4:26 remaining: Down by 5 with a man in his face, Baron pulls up for a 3 and banks it in. Crowd crazy scale = 9.

3:57 remaining:Good ball movement by the Warriors, Baron sees Bukee alone in the corner, dishes him the ball, and he hits a 3 to bring us within 1. Crowd crazy scale = 9.5.

3:16 remaining: Baron with the ball and the shot clock winding down, he banks another 3 to give us a 2 point lead! Crowd crazy scale 10!

2:27 remaining: Pushing a fast break, Bukee makes a gorgeous pass to Monta who elevates over everyone and makes a lay-up as he's fouled hard. Warriors up by 5 and the crowd crazy scale breaks the 10 mark.

1:50 remaining: Bukee makes a great tip in and finishes the night with 13 points, 11 of which came in the fourth.

0:17 remaining: TV camera pans in to Riley's face and it says it all. Game over. I love this team! Crowd still on their feet.

We need to lock him up long term!

Team chemistry. This is why I love this team! You see it in their faces. Guys on the bench are on the court giving high fives the minute a whistle blows. It makes this year so much more enjoyable to watch guys who you want to root for. Baron had a great game to deserve most of the credit but can't I give it to Azubuike?

An Oldie for some of you ...

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Buke's 4th was the difference, but

this was definitely a team win. Special mention to Biedrins who proved his value tonight as the only Warrior in the 1st half who didn't alter his shot in the paint. There was a little too much fear of Shaq down low considering he didn't have any blocks. Zo seems to be a better shot blocker, however. The Warriors should protect the ball in the paint but still take controlled shots. Andris's quick release and Jack's scoring really kept us in striking distance much of the game. 86% FT shooting will win you competitive ball games. Very proud of the work they must be doing with Moncrief. Notice how many times Nelson has mentioned "practice." I love that the Warriors seem to get better as the season goes on, and their confidence in what they're doing shows. The fact that they are all working on their FT shooting means they are addressing cracks not filling up holes. We were tremendously outrebounded and didn't defend the paint like we should, but we executed in other areas which made up for it. Great sign of things to come.

by eshock on Dec 8, 2007 10:58 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Riley going small

Yes he was getting great production from Wright and Davis but why sit Shaq as disruptive as he is? Doesn't make sense unless things are really going South between him and Wade.

by eshock on Dec 8, 2007 10:59 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else notice Baron's moves

at the top of the key with the dribble. He can iso his defender and instead of faking side to side, he moves front, back and then penetrates. Its a thing of beauty that I haven't seen since the playoffs. And, this talk about taking the three leading a 1 on 4 break is great because, they give you the open look, by the time there is need for rebound, your teammates can zero in on the ball around the block out, at least in theory. This is the best basketball on the planet, right now.

by eshock on Dec 8, 2007 11:07 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I just knew the w's would pull this out

when at the end of the 3rd, harrington & barnes went extra scrappy to keep the dubs w/in 10. I could see fire in their eyes. It wasn't 2 for 1, it seemed like a 5 for 1 with all the loose balls they fighting for. Definitely an "A" for effort.

Best duo since...

by Tim N Chris Burger on Dec 8, 2007 11:09 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Al deserves some credit too...

Big Al started off terrible but he really fired us up at the end of the third when it looked like the rest of the team was ready to give up on this one, nailing a three and taking it hard to the rim twice. Even though the Heat maintained the lead well into the fourth, I think this sequence got the team primed for that late run.

Livin in the E

by ebot on Dec 8, 2007 11:18 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Bukee

came through in a big way last night. I was wondering why Nellie didn't put him in earlier, but by the time he went in the Heat were gasping for air and it allowed him and Monte to get to loose balls and easy transition buckets.

The refs were controlling the tempo in the 1st half holding down the Warriors attack. The one, black, bald-headed ref seemed like he was on the take. Terrible calls, especially a foul call on Barnes on Wade.

Awesome last 5 minutes. That's why the national media is jumping on the GSW bandwagon.

Section 116 - Courtside Club Attendant

by phildafunk on Dec 8, 2007 11:24 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Great recap!

Man, I turned the internet off at 3rd quarter. Friggin' east coast times and big projects due next week. I'm glad we won and I think it is MASSIVE that the Warriors are closing games, but I am concerned that these terrible shooting 3 quarters where we get behind does not become a habit. Sure it works with the Heat, but it didn't work with Orlando and it won't work with other better quality teams. The Lakers will be a big test. Still, growth is growth and it is very excited to see the attitude, the work ethic and the confidence this team is displaying.

So many weapons!

And I love the national media finally jumping on our tip. The thing is, it's not just that the Dubs are winning. It's also where the entertainment is. This league should have been following NellieBall a decade ago. But as usual the west coast gets no love.

Also, got 'Buke on my fantasy team. Last round pick thanks to you all and your enthusiasm. He's a steady contributor.

GO DUBS!

by walkerp on Dec 8, 2007 11:48 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

If we lock up Buke, then what happens to Monta?

We still have a logjam at SG with Buke, Monta and Marco. Monta Ellis isn't a PG, so is he the odd man out?

by callahan on Dec 8, 2007 12:33 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

no logjam

A logjam implies you have quality to go with your quantity.

Belinelli has not shown anything yet; until he does, there's no log jam.

Ellis/Buike is fine this year.

As for signing people...thats its own diary (or five).

24 > 23

WE NEED A BACKUP POINT GUARD

AIM: Jetforze

by OptionZero on Dec 8, 2007 12:42 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

ellis/buke fine for this year, but how about next?

i'm thinking next year.

like your sig sez, we need a backup pg. the warriors will have to pay monta ellis big bucks probably in order to keep him. it's not worth big bucks for a backup pg when we have to re-sign baron.

but he's not really a pg. he's more a sg or combo guard. why pay ellis the bucks when we have buke locked and marco belinelli as his backup?

i'd trade ellis and pob (unless he gets in favor with nelson or we have a new coach next season) for someone like daniel gibson and anderson varejao.

by callahan on Dec 8, 2007 5:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Monta's continued development means....

that he can be the back-up point guard next year, as well as play some 2 whenever Nellie likes. That leaves the 2 available for a surging Azubuike and the pizza guy to play at the 2 for the most part.

We have all seen the improvement in Monta's passing, as well as his ability to create for others. He is not quite ready yet to play the 1, but with continued development this year as well as in the pre-season next year he should be ready for the back-up roll.

Go Dubs! I Still Believe!!
OakFoSho

by Sneaky275 on Dec 9, 2007 3:00 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fans were going nuts last night.

On a seperate and completely unrelated note, I am at work right now and this women keeps trying to clear her throat like she has a 12 pound piece of phlegm stuck in there. My annoyance scale = 10

And as far as locking up Buike long term, why not? he isnt going to be that expensive. And we can still lock up Monta as well. As for Marco, he said no to the D-League, so it seems as if he isnt close to contributing to this team, so there isnt really much of a log jam. Sign em both!!!

by sloth11 on Dec 8, 2007 12:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

mbenga should also get a mention

for killing jwill's ankle and leaving them without a proper point guard.

by saintdee on Dec 8, 2007 1:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

And for killing the Warriors offense

when he's on the floor.

I'm surprised they didn't try trapping Wade more when he was running the point. Tire him out. They did it a couple times and he almost coughed it up. Although, if you breathe on him he goes to the line so they might have been afraid of that.