Golden State @ New Orleans: Game Thread, 12/15/2004

<u>Golden State</u> (7-14) at <u>New Orleans</u> (1-19)

Wednesday, December 15, 2004 at 8:00 PM PST
At the New Orleans Arena

Golden State: 11 GB (Pacific, 5th place)
New Orleans: 15 GB (Southwest, 5th place)

Probable Starters:
New Orleans Hornets
PG David Wesley
SG Junior Harrington
SF Matt Frejie
PF George Lynch
C P.J. Brown

Golden State Warriors
PG Speedy Claxton
SG Jason Richardson
SF Mike Dunleavy, Jr.
PF Troy Murphy
C Cliff Robinson

Quick Recaps
New Orleans is coming off a tough overtime loss against the new team in Charlotte, the Bobcats, 94-93. The loss extended their losing streak to 11 games. New Orleans has been battling injury problems all year, with star Baron Davis still out for the foreseeable future. In addition, Jamaal Magloire, Jamal Mashburn, David West and Rodney Rogers are on the injured list, with Alex Garcia soon to be added under a second NBA exemption. Further compounding the issue, forward Lee Nailon is questionable because of groin strain. Due to these injuries, New Orleans has been forced to alter its lineup and start unexperienced players.

Golden State is only a notch above New Orleans in the West standings, but have been playing much better after a very rough start to the season. Golden State is coming off an encouraging win against the Dallas Mavericks, where the Warriors outplayed the Mavericks on the offensive end despite a tight zone and hustled out the win, 111-107. Montgomery has been tightening up the rotation by giving his starters more minutes, limiting his rotation to nine players a game, and also by limiting minutes to its bigger players (Dale Davis, Adonal Foyle, and Eduardo Najera) and instead has employed a younger, faster lineup to improve the offensive flow. This strategy has given Golden State more confidence that they will get playing time, and has helped Golden State score over 100 points in five of its last six games.

Key Matchup
Cliff Robinson v. P.J. Brown

These two veteran big men will probably match up often in this game. Although both players are past their primes and are considered a bit undersized for the center position, they have stepped up their play in recent games and carried large loads for their teams. Brown, a tradional power forward and defensive presence, will have to contend with a hot Robinson, who has shot above 60% and averaged 19.0 points in the last three games. Due to injuries, Brown has also taken a more active offensive and defensive role, averaging 14.6 points, 10 rebounds, 2.3 blocks over his last three games. Look for both these players to battle it out tonight.

Prediction
As always in the NBA, there are no easy games. But, given the current Warriors confidence and the current Hornets woes, the Warriors should be able to compete effectively and earn a road win.

 

This is a game the Warriors should win. Coming off the win in Dallas, this should be a good game for the Warriors. Look for Uncle Cliffy and Speedy to have big games.

 

We will see how they do in a back to back. The Warriors have been known to beat some good teams and than turn around and lose to a bad one (new orleans).

 

This game has "let down" written all over it. The Warriors are coming off the biggest win of the season and playing against the worst team in the league. This is the best chance for New Orleans to get a win before January 5th, so you know the Warriors are going to get the Hornet's best shot.

This reminds me a lot of the Warriors/Clippers games of 3-4 years ago when the Warriors were slightly better than the Clips, but would tend to lose games to them because the Clips always knew Warriors games were their best shot at a win.

It's a game the Warriors should win, but the question is whether they will come out with a workman-like demeanor and take care of business. I sure hope they do. This game will be as much of a tell about the emerging character of the team as the Dallas game.

I'll feel a lot better about this team if they can put the Hornets away early and never let them back in the game.

 

I have a bad feeling about this one, but I think the warriors will win, just becuase New Orleans is really bad this year, probably worst in the league.

Also they aslo played a tough game yesterday and that pretty much evens it out.

I agree with Walker a fast start for the W's and they will win. A slow start and it maybe a long night.

 

I predict a loss. I don't know how though. Hope I'm wrong.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting custodianrules2:</div><div class="quote_post">I predict a loss. I don't know how though. Hope I'm wrong.</div>


I hope you are wrong to. I think they will win without Fisher though.

 

Am I wrong, or did GSW had Dan Dicakau on there roster in pre-season?
I find that kind of ironical, now that he has put up 20 points against GSW. )

 

I hate being right about these things...

And yes, Dickau was briefly on the roster when they made the Portland trade, then he was shipped to Dallas in the Damp trade.

 

What a let down. What is it with these games with no TV broadcast? Its so much more painful having Tim Roye explain to me how they are blowing it rather than seeing it myself.

Richardson 2-9 3ptrs??
Dunleavy?

 

And stuff after game @ Dallas seamed to look so good?

 

This is just embarassing. The Warriors had beat the Mavs and then lost to the Hornets 98- 89!! This is just horrible. Another collapse in the second half

 

Claxton played an outstanding game, but the Hornets totally beat out the Warriors in terms of hustle and rebounds. I mean, 34 rebounds to 47, and 14 offensive rebounds to 7? Hustle players like Chris Anderson took advantage of us. Additionally, it didn't help that J-Rich was as cold as a brick of ice.

 

Completely speechless. We couldn't beat 3 All Star less, 1-19 Hornets, who just lost heart breaking game against Bobcat less than 24 hours ago? Maybe, Warriors are looking for No. 1 pick ahead. Way ahead...

 

Guess me and wtwalker were right...damn.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Guess me and wtwalker were right...damn.</div>

I know. That sucks.

 

Next time if you're a GSW fan quit jinxing the team. If you think the team is going to lose keep it to yourself.. heh.

 

Actually I thought they were going to win, but then I remembered these guys are jokes on back to back road games.

 

Can someone please explain to me how you can beat the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas and than turn around and lose to the horrible Hornets?

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Rudeezy:</div><div class="quote_post">Can someone please explain to me how you can beat the Dallas Mavericks in Dallas and than turn around and lose to the horrible Hornets?</div>


They always give up points in the second half. I call it "Second Half Collapse"