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Short-handed Warriors have now downed two full-strength contenders

By Nathan Beighle

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after the Warriors failed to tie the game in the final seconds of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on December 28, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 28: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts after the Warriors failed to tie the game in the final seconds of the game against the Denver Nuggets at Chase Center on December 28, 2021 in San Francisco, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors defeated the Phoenix Suns on the road on Christmas down Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole, the team’s second and third top scorers. They beat the Suns by 9, 116-107 despite entering as underdogs.

The Warriors were again 4.5-point underdogs as they traveled to Utah to take on the Jazz.

The Golden State Warriors, who were without three-time All-Star forward Draymond Green, defeated the Jazz in Utah on Saturday night.

Golden State had a tad bit more rest time as their game on Thursday was canceled due to too many players from the Nuggets in health and safety protocols. Draymond Green was not thrilled the league opted to cancel the team’s second of their back-to-back.

Golden State did have Wiggins and Poole in the lineup. Gary Payton II drew the start with Poole either still returning to peak conditioning or preparing for a role with the second unit upon Klay Thompson’s return.

Either way, Stephen Curry and Wiggins did their thing, combining for 53 of the Warriors’ 126 points.

The real shock was the 20 points the Warriors were able to get from former top-five pick, forward Otto Porter Jr. Porter Jr. put in the work against Utah and has been great for much of the season. He was inserted as a starter for Green.

Andre Iguodala also put up a huge 10 points. Oddly enough, Kevon Looney had major contributions. He scored 8 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and dished out 6 assists. Those three took their game to the next level.

The Warriors also showed great patience and composure. While they did break out to a 14-point halftime lead, they saw the third quarter end in a -19 difference. They showed resilience and outscored the surging Jazz by 12 in the fourth.

Golden State ended up winning by 7. Without Thompson and Green, who have a combined 8 All-Star appearances, the Warriors defeated a team many consider the most balanced in the Western Conference.

Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history. dark

The Jazz are the hottest team in the NBA, but the Warriors showed why they still hold the league’s best record. At full strength, Golden State is going to be a scary team, one that no one is going to want to face in the playoffs.

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