Mavs Thwart Warriors Comeback

It's sickening watching Kyrie and Klay close the Dubs out late.

I didn’t care much for the Super Bowl this year, opting to spend the day snowboarding. I’m a wanna be freestyle rider taking bad knees into the terrain park. At my age, it really hurts to “Send it!” as the self-preservation instincts kick in approaching jumps. Common amongst rookie park riders is the tendency to fall short of the landings or “case the jump” as it’s called.

Last night, the Warriors cased the comeback in Dallas, losing 111-107. Powered by Kyrie Irving’s huge night - 42 points, seven 3-pointers on 60% from the field and 70% from downtown - the Mavericks counter punched every Warriors comeback effort, serving up the first loss in the Jimmy Buckets era.

After besting the Bucks without Giannis earlier this week, I was hopeful for a repeat against Dallas who were without any of their bigs. No Anthony Davis. No Daniel Gafford. No Dereck Lively II. Luka’s in LA. We got this! Splash Brother Klay Thompson came out firing with two early first quarter threes forcing Coach Steve Kerr to call an early timeout after Max Christie’s bucket put DAL up 15-6.

My blood pressure soon returned to normal as the Dubs settled in. The Warriors closed the deficit to 5 by the time Jimmy Butler III subbed in for Stephen Curry with 3 minutes left in the first period. I always get nervous when Steph sits. I have that same nervous feeling in the air off a jump. Am I gonna land it or am I headed for an urgent care visit? Happily for Dub Nation, the Warriors would land this one down only one point to end the first.

I think I blacked out during the second. Probably when the Mavs pushed the lead to double digits again. Ugh. Moses Moody continued his steady play. Brandin Podziemski, playing better since returning from injury, is starting to find that consistency we’d hoped for in his sophomore campaign. But hey crisis averted, right? Double digit lead once again cut back down to one at halftime. Hope there’s still gas in the tank for the second half.

Third Quarter is ours, ya? Isn’t this when Steph checks Twitter and notices some reporter tweeting about his slow start and then he goes supernova? Alas, on this night, the Warriors would dig yet another double digit hole, but stay within striking distance. I’m feeling that Curry Flurry coming.

Kyrie says Hold my beer

It came late, but it happened. Not as fast & furious as it used to be, but Curry dropped 11 points to go with Butler’s eleven in the fourth to lead the comeback. Time and time again, it seemed like Kyrie had an answer. Acrobatic driving layup here. Clutch three from downtown there. Painful reminders for 2016 haunting Dub Nation. It’s so emotionally draining to keep clawing back from behind only to fall short. Oh how I long for those dynasty days for yesteryear when Unanimous would sit the 4th.

Things got interesting when a Curry three put the Warriors up one with three minutes to go. Are we gonna pull out nail-biter in yet another crunch time game? This night would belong to Kyrie. Not only would his final points tie the game at 107, but the offensive charge he took against Butler pretty much sealed the deal.

The Warriors wrap up this six-game road trip like it started with a back-to-back this time it’s more Texas time facing the Houston Rockets before returning to the Bay to host All Star Weekend. During last night’s broadcast, Kelenna mentioned the Warriors land in Houston around 3am. The NBA schedule makers are haters.

If you see me around All Star Weekend. Gimme a holler. Having been priced out of all the events happening inside the Chase Center, I’ll be buzzing around the reasonably affordable, I still have a kid in college events happening outside.