Stephen Curry stated the Golden State Warriors demonstrated “who we are” after defeating the Milwaukee Bucks 125-90 at Chase Centre on March 6.
On March 3, the Warriors experienced one of the most humiliating National Basketball Association (NBA) losses in team history, falling 140-88 to the Celtics. However, the seven-time NBA champs stormed back with a vengeance, defeating the in-form Bucks with an overwhelming victory.
“The nature of the NBA, you can get hit by a bus like we did in Boston, and there’s a temptation to forget the body of work that we’ve put in over the last month-and-a-half and the identity that we’re trying to create,” said Curry, who finished with 29 points and eight rebounds in the game.
“For us to respond the way we did when we returned home was significant. To be able to turn the page and play with conviction and confidence following such a beating demonstrates what we’re trying to achieve and who we are.”
Milwaukee has not lost since the All-Star break, thanks to a better defence that helped Doc Rivers’ club win six straight games. However, the Warriors produced an outstanding all-around performance to keep the Bucks, who shot only 38.2 percent, on the back foot practically from the start.
The Warriors scored 40 points in the first quarter and 38 in the second, leading 78-58 at halftime. Although Milwaukee outscored Golden State 23-15 in the third quarter, the Warriors, who made half of their 38 three-point attempts, dropped the hammer in the fourth to secure their 12th win in the last 15 games.
Jonathan Kuminga added 20 points to Curry’s total, and freshman Trayce Jackson-Davis impressed with 15 points off the bench. Giannis Antetokounmpo led Milwaukee’s scorers with 23 points, while Damian Lillard and Bobby Portis each scored 20.
The Warriors improved to 33-28 with the win, moving into ninth place in the Western Conference, while the Bucks remained second in the East at 41-22, eight games behind leaders Boston.
De’Aaron Fox scored a season-high 44 points at Crypto.com Arena, and Domantas Sabonis recorded his NBA-best 22nd triple-double with 16 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists as the Sacramento Kings rallied from a 19-point deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Lakers 130-120.
Malik Monk had 26 points and eight assists off the bench against his former team, while Davion Mitchell had 12 and Harrison Barnes had 11 as the Kings rebounded after losing three of their previous four games.
The Lakers’ LeBron James scored 31 points with 13 assists, Rui Hachimura contributed 29 points, and Anthony Davis had 14 points and 11 rebounds. AFP, Reuters