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For the umpteenth time this season, the Golden State Warriors don’t have a chance to stew in their misery. Instead, they get to try and wash a heartbreaking loss off immediately, with a road game against the Phoenix Suns to finish off the back-to-back, before heading into the All-Star break.
The deets
Who: Golden State Warriors (19-17) vs. Phoenix Suns (23-11)
When: 7:00 p.m. PT
Where: Phoenix Suns Arena, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area
Projected starting lineups:
Warriors: Stephen Curry, Kelly Oubre Jr./Kent Bazemore, Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, Kevon Looney
Suns: Chris Paul, Devin Booker, Mikal Bridges, Jae Crowder, Deandre Ayton
Last results:
Warriors: Lost to the Blazers 108-106 — 3-2 in their last 5 games
Suns: Beat the Lakers 114-104 — 4-1 in their last 5 games
Team ratings (garbage-time adjusted, per Cleaning The Glass):
Warriors: 110.1 offense (22nd), 110.6 defense (8th), -0.5 net (18th)
Suns: 116.2 offense (8th), 109.6 defense (4th), +6.5 net (3rd)
The story
The Warriors need a win. Badly. So very badly. After securing their first three-game winning streak of the season, the Dubs have dropped two straight — the first in embarrassing fashion, the second in heartbreaking style.
Now they risk entering the All-Star break on their first three-game skid of the year, and what do they have waiting for them on the other end of the break? A trio against the Los Angeles Clippers, Utah Jazz, and Los Angeles Lakers.
But it sure won’t be easy. The Warriors are on the back end of a road back-to-back, and the Suns are home and rested. The last time these teams met, the Suns had lost five of their last six games, but now they’re winners of 15 of their last 18. They’re one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
Players to watch
Warrior to watch: Andrew Wiggins.
The Warriors need more from Wiggins. I’m just going to leave this here:
Wiggins hit the 25 mark in 20 of 54 games last year. Just 1 of 36 games this year.
— Brady Klopfer (@BradyKlopferNBA) March 4, 2021
That lower scoring was an asset earlier in the year when he was being more selective and therefore more efficient. But now that's gone. https://t.co/v4f7ATf9XG
Sun to watch: Devin Booker.
For the second straight year, Booker has been named to the All-Star team as an injury replacement, though no one would have batted an eye had he been voted in on the initial team. He’s averaging 25.2 points per game, shooting 36.7% from distance, and looking improved on the defensive end.
Matchup to watch: Steph Curry vs. Chris Paul.
This matchup never gets old, and it’s safe to say that Curry will be pissed after Wednesday’s loss and be looking to make a statement.
Keys to victory
- Don’t let Booker go ballistic
- Get offensive help from someone — anyone — other than Curry
- Don’t be deflated and low on energy despite the rough loss and travel schedule
Get a win, Warriors. You sure could use one.