Pistons trip up Warriors late in 115-107 victory in Oakland

The Golden State Warriors fell to the Detroit Pistons at home in the friendly confines of Oakland, 115 to 107.

The champions came into the final game of their three-game homestand against the Pistons hoping to find a fix for a rash of recent sloppy play. The distant descendants of the “Bad Boys” of midwest NBA lore entered the game allowing only four fast break points per game (tied for fewest in league). The Dubs would have to take care of the ball in order to attack the Motor City’s defense efficiently.

The Warriors got off to a hot start offensively, shooting 63% and outscoring the Pistons 35-27 in the first quarter. The Splash Brothers were finding the groove early. Kerr’s “bench bigs by committee” saw JaVale McGee get the nod early. He was very active, catching lobs and altering shots on the defensive end.

The second quarter saw Pistons guard and former Durant Oklahoma City Thunder teammate Reggie Jackson assert himself against the Dubs reserves. He scored 12 points early in the quarter to temporarily snatch a one point lead. This angered Kevin Durant and forced the former MVP to unleash a vicious dunk straight from his yard back home in Prince George’s County, Maryland.

The Triad of Splash (Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, KD) combined to make 18 of 26 from the field and 5-for-9 from trey for the half. The Warriors shot 60% overall after two quarters, but still the team only held a 57-52 advantage after the Pistons won the turnover battle 11-3 (sigh).

The third quarter began as a soothing display of crisp Warriors scoring and synchronized defensive prowess. Javale McGee and KD even took turns exhibiting who could block massive center Andre Drummond’s shots more disrespectfully. As the champs went up 12, the camera showed a shot of former Warrior legend Tim Hardaway on the Pistons bench. Surreal!

Even as their lead swelled to double digits, the “Super Villains” couldn’t put the boot down and finish it early. The Pistons patiently chopped away at the lead until they tied the game at the buzzer on former Warrior Anthony Tolliver’s fadeaway from 17 feet. They were able to tie it up in part by being +16 off points off turnovers through three quarters.

Damn.

The Warriors entered the final frame tied and facing late drama for the third fourth straight home game. “Roaracle” fans hadn’t seen this many consecutive dramatic home games since the 2nd NBA finals against Lebron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. The crowd was visibly distressed as the disciplined Pistons coldly out hustled and outfought their golden counterparts. The Dubs entered into a deep funk as The Pistons took the lead pushed the lead as high as 13.

Then KD entered at the 9 minute mark and snapped into a FEEDING FRENZY RAMPAGE. His kill streak reached double digits as he scored 13 points in the quarter, giving a devilish grin as tortured the the Pistons defense.

Unfortunately, Avery Bradley was a tremendous pest defensively in crunch time. He made Steph very uncomfortable and forced the ball out of his hands repeatedly. Unanimous could get nothing going down the stretch, even as the Warriors home announcers cautioned that perhaps KD should get more touches late. I love Steph going for the gusto, but Bradley kept him from seizing the winning plays this evening.

Steph finished up with a few horrendous turnovers to close the game, and the Pistons snatched the well deserved victory as the Dubs went ice cold late.

The epic scoring binges and inexplicable lapses of focus this game were both the best and worst of the champs qualities on display. Unfortunately, they couldn’t survive the lows of this game. The Pistons capitalized on the Warriors 26 turnovers and silenced the Oakland crowd. The champs fall to 4-3, and the Pistons graduate to 5-2. I imagine Toronto and Washington calling Detroit and thanking them for avenging the Eastern Conference on the Warrior’s home court.

Sigh. How do you folks on GSoM feel about this frustrating misstep? Let’s talk this out over Sunday Evening dinner.