Strong Bench Play Lifts Golden State Warriors over Miami Heat

On a night where the Golden State Warriors couldn’t get pick up the tempo or get the three ball to fall, Stephen Curry‘s 31 and strong bench play helped the Dubs cool down the Heat 111-103.

More from Blue Man Hoop

• 3x champion may come to regret forgoing Golden State Warriors reunion
• Golden State Warriors: History shows USA may need Stephen Curry for more than the Olympics
• 7 players Golden State Warriors might replace Klay Thompson with by the trade deadline
• Golden State Warriors villain pours on more pain to end USA’s World Cup
• Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry continues philanthropic efforts off the court

Right from tip-off, this game was a tough, tightly contested matchup. The Warriors couldn’t get anything going from beyond the arc. Curry, who scored 11 in the opening period, hit the Dubs’ lone three in the quarter. Both teams were visibly frustrated with the officiating as neither side was getting a whistle. Luol Deng even picked up a technical foul. Despite all the physical play, the Warriors managed to win the quarter 27-25.

The second quarter was even closer, as both sides scored 29 points apiece. Harrison Barnes came into the game and made a difference right away, getting to the line and putting pressure on the defense.  He came in and gave the Warriors 8 points off the bench. Dubs couldn’t gain any separation as any run was countered by the Heat.

The third quarter was much more energetic for Golden State as they were able to play at their pace rather than Miami’s. Curry almost made the play of the game as he drove past Justise Winslow, wrapped the ball around his back, and then threw Draymond Green a behind the back pass. The Warriors picked up the defensive intensity and went on a 13-3 run in the middle of the quarter and, just as it seemed that they would take over, Miami came right back with a mini-run of their own. Ultimately, the Dubs still won the quarter 24-23.

Luke Walton and the Warriors flaunted their depth in the fourth quarter, bringing in a rarely used lineup of Shaun Livingston, Ian Clark, Andre Iguodala, Harrison Barnes, and Marreese Speights. Speights, who has played better since the New Year, gave the Dubs 6 points in 5 minutes. He was +7 in a limited amount of time. The Warriors and Heat exchanged blows as Curry and Dwayne Wade both took over for their teams. With time winding down, Curry iced the game with a deep three on the left wing.

Hassan Whiteside, who was in the middle of a Twitter beef with the Warriors’ Green, did not play in this one due to knee injury. Wade gave his Heat 20 points and 11 assists.

Tale of the Tape

Warriors

• Field-goal percentage: 47.7% (41-86)
• Three-point percentage: 30.4% (7-23)
• Rebounds: 49
• Assists: 25
• Turnovers: 9

Heat

• Field-goal percentage: 45.1% (41-91)
• Three-point percentage: 36.8% (7-19)
• Rebounds: 47
• Assists: 31
• Turnovers: 10

Good to Know

What’s on Tap

Warriors will fly to the Mile High City and take on the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday.