Andrew Wiggins showcased his scoring prowess on Tuesday night, leading the charge for the Warriors with 23 points, 12 of which came in a crucial third quarter surge. The Warriors secured a pivotal 104-100 victory over the Dallas Mavericks at the Chase Center, aided by two pivotal goal-tending calls in the final minutes of the game.
Stephen Curry contributed 13 points, along with seven assists and seven rebounds, playing a significant role in the Warriors’ fifth consecutive win. This victory marks the third time this season that Golden State has achieved a five-game winning streak.
As the game tightened in the closing moments, Kyrie Irving’s free throws cut the deficit to 102-100 with only 15 seconds remaining. However, Klay Thompson’s successful free throws after being intentionally fouled cemented the win for the Warriors.
With this triumph, the Warriors edged closer to securing a playoff berth. Now standing at 41-34, they hold a three-game lead over the Houston Rockets in the pursuit of the No. 10 spot in the Western Conference, with seven games remaining in the regular season.
The game saw Golden State clinging to a narrow 94-92 lead late in the fourth quarter when Draymond Green’s shot attempt appeared to be blocked by Dallas’ Daniel Gafford. However, Gafford was called for goal-tending, extending the Warriors’ lead to 96-92. Subsequently, another goal-tending call against the Mavericks further bolstered Golden State’s advantage.
Green’s defensive prowess and timely plays contributed significantly to the victory, with Thompson adding 14 points and Green tallying 11 points, eight rebounds, and six assists.
This victory marks the Warriors’ first win in three meetings against the Mavericks this season, providing them with momentum as they head into the final stretch of the season. The two teams are set to face each other again on Friday in Dallas.
Despite a sluggish start that saw them trailing 9-0, the Warriors rallied behind Wiggins’ stellar performance. After a lackluster first half, Wiggins found his rhythm in the second half, particularly in the third quarter, where he scored 12 points. His defensive efforts against Luka Doncic were also noteworthy, despite Doncic’s 30-point performance.
Golden State’s bench once again proved its strength, with players like Paul and rookie Brandin Podziemski providing valuable contributions. However, the Warriors also struggled with turnovers, committing 17 which led to 25 points for the Mavericks.
Despite the win, the Warriors recognize the need to address their turnover issues and missed opportunities as they aim to maintain their momentum heading into the playoffs.
