If it wasn’t for Draymond Green’s energy, the Warriors would have most likely lost to the 76ers in Oakland Tuesday night and the panic button would be all the way pushed for Warriors faithful.
NBA scores 2017: Draymond Green saves Warriors from collapse against 76ers
The Warriors were in a funk all night until Draymond willed them to a win.
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Golden State found themselves down by 16 in the third quarter and unable to find any kind of flow within the game. Defensive rotations were off, turnovers were a problem, and their shots were not falling. That’s when Green turned up the intensity, put the Warriors on his back, and willed them to a win at Oracle.
While the rest of the Warriors looked mostly in a funk, Green gave them everything he could. He finished the night with a ridiculous stat line of 20 points, eight rebounds, eight assists, six blocks, and four steals. One block out of his career-high of six, came late in the fourth quarter. It essentially sealed the victory for the Warriors and you can see the emotion pouring out of Green.
When asked postgame on NBA TV, Green said he wouldn’t let the Warriors lose on Tuesday night:
I couldn’t you know, I think this is my type of game. We’re in a rut, we’re struggling. And I knew it wasn’t going to be pretty. We knew that, we just had to grit it out. And that’s what I am for this team.
Steph Curry also did his part scoring 29 points on his 29th birthday. While Green was providing the energy the Warriors needed, Curry was knocking down shots that only he can hit.
Also, the Warriors are back in first place in the Western Conference.
In good news for the 76ers, Dario Sarcic finished with 25 points, seven rebounds, six assists, three, steals, and two blocks. What a stat line from the rookie against one of the best teams in the league.
The Pelicans finally got a win that was led by DeMarcus Cousins
It hasn’t been an easy start for DeMarcus Cousins and Anthony Davis in New Orleans. Before tonight’s win against the Trail Blazers, the Pelicans were 3-6 since the trade deadline that sent Cousins to New Orleans. It’s not that the 3-6 record was the worst part, it was that the three wins also seemingly came without Cousins. In the first three wins, Cousins was suspended one game for technical fouls, another game he fouled out 31 minutes in, and the last game he was benched in the fourth quarter.
Tonight was a completely different story. The Pelicans got a blowout win against the Trail Blazers, 100-77, and Cousins and Davis were able to finally find some rhythm. Including this monster alley-oop from Cousins to Davis.
It was a great showing for both big men as Cousins finished 22 points and added nine rebounds while Anthony Davis had 15 points and 15 rebounds. It helped that the Trail Blazers only shot 30 percent from the field during the game nonetheless it was a good win for a Pelicans team that is trying to find its way.
It’s the year of the triple double
Russell Westbrook isn’t the only one racking up triple-doubles this year. In fact, this is the first time in NBA history that three different players have recorded 10 triple-doubles in a season. Russell Westbrook, James Harden, and LeBron James all have over 10 triple-doubles each this year. On Tuesday night, both Westbrook and James added to the record. Westbrook finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and 19 assists and his 32nd triple-double of the season.
James racked up 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 12 assists and reached triple-double number 10.
With a month left in the season, this number will surely continue to grow with all three players having fantastic seasons.
Other happenings around the league
Tuesday night’s final scores
Cavaliers 128, Pistons 96 (Fear the Sword recap | Detroit Bad Boys recap)
Thunder 122, Nets 104 (Welcome to Loud City recap | Nets Daily recap)
Pelicans 100, Trail Blazers 77 (The Bird Writes recap | Blazers Edge recap)
Warriors 106, 76ers 104 (Golden State of Mind recap | Liberty Ballers recap)
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