Golden State Warriors Weekly: A Much-Needed Dub

The Win:

Heading into Saturday’s game against the injury-ravaged Los Angeles Lakers, the Golden State Warriors had lost five of their last eight. Their only victories in that stretch had come against a Memphis Grizzlies team without Marc Gasol, an up-and-down Dallas Mavericks squad and the Anthony Davis-less New Orleans Pelicans. After a brutal loss at home to a San Antonio Spurs group playing without Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili, the situation was looking less than ideal for a team expected to contend in the West.

A loss at home to a Lakers team without Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Steve Nash, Steve Blake and Jordan Farmar might have incited panic in the streets. But as good teams are expected to do, the Warriors took care of business and beat a team they were supposed to beat. The Warriors struggled early but ended up dismantling the Lakers in a 102-83 victory.

David Lee led the way with 19 points and 10 rebounds, Stephen Curry finished with 18 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals, Klay Thompson chipped in 17 and Andrew Bogut dominated the glass with 20 rebounds. Is there anything particularly impressive about beating the Lakers’ C-team? Not really. But for the Warriors, who are still on the outside looking in for a Western Conference playoff spot, a win with balanced contributions across the board was a good way to start making up ground. Basically, it’s not time to hit the panic button just yet, Dubs fans.