What we learned as Steph’s big Christmas game wasted in loss to Lakers

What we learned when Steph’s big Christmas game was wasted in loss to the Lakers originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

CASH SCORE

Warriors coach Steve Kerr began the season experimenting with an extended rotation, involving up to 13 players, before shortening it considerably.

The number was 10 on Christmas Day and the game with the Warriors superstar Stephen Curry and Los Angeles Lakers superstar LeBron James It was largely decided by his teammates.

Curry did everything in his power to lead the Warriors to the finish line, hitting two incredible three-pointers in the final minute of the game.

But Curry’s heroics were not enough.

Lakers guard Austin Reaves scored the winning goal, dodging Andrew Wiggins for a layup with one second left in regulation.

The result was the Warriors being left with lumps of coal and a 115-113 loss at the Chase Center. They have lost 11 of their last 14 games.

Curry led the Warriors with a game-high 38 points, with Wiggins adding 21 and Jonathan Kuminga 14.

James led the Lakers with 31 points, with four teammates scoring in double figures, led by Reaves’ 26 points. Reaves’ 10 points and 10 assists gave him a triple-double.

Here are three observations from Golden State’s 12 decisive games, nine of which they lost:

battle of legends

This game was sold as Curry vs. James, with the Warriors and Lakers as supporting cast. The legends showed why.

Curry’s 38 points came on 14-of-24 shooting from the field, including 8-of-15 from beyond the arc. He added six assists. He played 35 minutes and finished -1.

James’ 31 points came on 12-of-22 shooting, including 2-of-4 from long range, along with 10 assists and four rebounds.

Consider the last 2:22 of the first half. With the Warriors trailing by seven, Curry attempts a layup to cut the margin to five. Ten seconds later, a James layup brings it to seven. He makes two free throws to increase Los Angeles’ lead to nine with 1:47 left in the half. Nine seconds later, Curry hits a three-pointer, reducing the lead to six. James responds with a jumper, extending the lead to eight with 1:18 left in the half. Twelve seconds later, Curry drains another 3-ball. Warriors within five. After James misses a 30-footer, the Warriors race downfield for a lob from Curry to Trayce Jackson-Davis. Golden State enters the locker room trailing 55-52.

Those two starred down the stretch, particularly Curry, who scored eight points in the final 25.1 seconds to give the Warriors a chance.

Never think the Curry-James rivalry isn’t personal. There is no malice, but his is a hand and hand war based on professional pride.

Hard night for the bench

The Warriors’ bench, a powerhouse during the first three weeks, has been wildly inconsistent over the last six weeks. This was one of his bad performances.

While Golden State’s starters held up well, the bench was outmatched by Los Angeles’ reserves. The non-Steph minutes were too often unwatchable.

Some of this has to do with Dennis Schröder’s constant pursuit of his game. In his fourth start, he scored 11 points on 3-of-10 shooting from the field, including 3-of-6 from deep, with five assists. On the court, whenever Curry is on the bench, Schröder averages 8.5 points on 11-of-39 shooting as a Warrior.

So, yes. It is a lot to ask the bench to prosper if Schröder is struggling.

But no member of Golden State’s bench team had a positive impact. Kuminga scored 14 points but was a team-worst -17 in 28 minutes. Buddy Hield managed only five points in 17 minutes.

Kyle Anderson, Moses Moody and Lindy Waters III watched the 48 minutes from the bench.

Ball movement continues to be a problem for the reserve team, which only recorded three assists. They were -7 in rebounds.

TJD continues to make his presence felt

Jackson-Davis started the first 17 games this season, came off the bench in six of the next seven, suffered a DNP-CD and returned as the starting center Saturday in Golden State’s win at Minnesota.

Earning his third straight start at center, Jackson-Davis is making a strong case to stay.

Playing 26 minutes against the Lakers, the second-year big man finished with 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the field, adding nine rebounds and two blocks to finish with a team-best plus-11.

Jackson-Davis in the last three games is averaging 13.0 points on 18 of 25 shooting (72 percent) from the field, 8.7 rebounds and 1.7 blocks.

At this rate, it will be difficult for Kerr to justify removing TJD from the starting lineup.

Download and follow the Dubs Talk podcast