Golden State Warriors buried themselves with major turnover difference

No one was expecting the Warriors to enter halftime with a 13-point lead, but they managed to do just that in the first and what we know now will be two play-in games for Golden State. They’ll take on Memphis on Friday night for a chance to play against the Utah Jazz in the first round.

That said, Golden State gave up most of that lead in the third quarter and found themselves leading the Los Angeles Lakers by just two headed into the final period. It was a difficult, turnover-filled second half that brutally ended with a Warriors loss.

The Golden State Warriors lost to the Los Angeles Lakers, and one can easily see that the minus-nine turnover difference was the reason why.

The Warriors were outscored by five in the fourth and consequently were sent back to the Bay Area with a new opponent and not yet a spot in the actual playoffs. It was the turnover difference that ruined Golden State’s chances in the game.

They had 20 turnovers. Despite shooting around four percent better from the field and even better from downtown, the Warriors just couldn’t manage to hang onto the ball.

Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, as expected, led the team with six each. While Curry’s can be expected as he dances around defenders and even a few partially justified, Green must do a better job as he’s typically more of the facilitator. Mychal Mulder‘s two turnovers also stung.

It wasn’t just necessarily that they had 20 either. It’s more about when those 20 came in relation to the game.

The Warriors had four turnovers in the last five minutes of action. That could proportion to almost 40 in a game. Two Draymond Green offensive fouls just aren’t acceptable, although the illegal screen called on him certainly was a questionable decision.

Other than their turnovers, Golden State played an otherwise flawless game. They topped 44 percent from deep and held their own against the reigning champions which, for the first time in months, seemed at full strength.

With Kelly Oubre Jr. and James Wiseman sidelined, the Warriors giving the Lakers all they could handle is impressive and a true testament to the greatness of Stephen Curry, who dropped 37 on just 23 shots.

However, this team was burned because of their decision-making, and against a team like the Lakers, that just can’t be the case. Let’s hope their game against Memphis is a bit less sloppy in terms of taking care of the ball and valuing offensive possessions.