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Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr labeled Tuesday's showdown with the Dallas Mavericks as the “biggest game of the year.”
In response, Golden State promptly took the floor and got obliterated by Dallas, 133-103, likely ending the team's chances of avoiding the play-in tournament. The no. 10-seeded Warriors (31-31) now trail the Mavericks (34-27) by 3.5 games for the no. 6 seed.
Dallas embarked on a 28-0 first-half run, during which the Dubs missed 18 straight shots.
“Biggest game of the year and it was over before it started,” Kerr said after the game. “Really, really disappointing. We've got a young team. Of the guys who were out there tonight, I think we have only three guys who were in the playoffs. Tonight was kind of like a playoff game for Dallas. They lost last night. They knew we were on their heels. … They came out like it was a playoff game, and we came out like it was an exhibition game.”
On Wednesday, Kerr had a new, and dire, message for his squad, according to Wes Goldberg of The Mercury News.
“The playoffs start now. These next 10 games are the playoffs, in my mind.”
The no. 10-seeded Warriors (31-31) now trail the Mavericks (34-27) by 3.5 games for the no. 6 seed. The Portland Trail Blazers (33-28) currently occupy the no. 7 seed. Golden State has a bit of breathing room in the race to qualify for the play-in zone, holding a 3.5-game lead over the inconsistent New Orleans Pelicans (27-34).
“You want to turn the page,” said Stephen Curry. “You understand that the Mavs are a talented team — they get paid to play basketball just like we do and some nights it looks like they get paid more across the board. So it's just a matter of us trying to remember who we are, remember our identity, not dwell on it too long, and find a way to keep our confidence and who we've shown ourselves to be this last little stretch.”
Fortunately, Golden State will get a friendlier matchup against the Minnesota Timberwolves (19-44) on Thursday.
