Steph Makes History, Warriors Secure the Win in New York
At long last.
Warriors’ superstar Stephen Curry has cemented himself as the greatest shooter ever by eclipsing Ray Allen’s all-time three-point record on Nov. 14 versus the Knicks.
Heading into New York on a back end of a back-to-back, the Warriors were walking into The Garden under very strange circumstances.
After their close grind-it-out style win against the Pacers, the Warriors’ team plane had some mechanical issues, which forced the Warriors to stay overnight in Indiana and fly into New York on a game-day.
“We’ve been in a shooting slump,” Kerr said. “I hope this opens up the flood gates. We’re in for a show.”
The Warriors were unfazed as they managed to hold off the Knicks on a historical night.
History at MSG
Everyone knew what was on Curry’s mind as the game went underway. The contest was tied at two apiece early when Curry received a drag screen from Draymond Green.
He executed a left-to-right crossover then hopped into a triple, which dropped cleanly through the net.
Then, with the Warriors down 10-9 early in the first, the Warriors ran a set play usually designed for Andrew Wiggins. The ball begins on the right wing as it cycles around the perimeter.
Meanwhile, Number 30 runs to the opposite block, where he would set a brush screen for Wiggins. Two-Way Wiggs would curl off the pick and usually find an easy wide-open layup.
But, this time, Wiggins decided to kick it out to Curry, who never stopped moving, and as the two-time MVP received the ball, he performed a left-right gather and released the historical shot.
“I never wanted to call myself the greatest shooter until I got this record,” Curry said in the postgame. “I’m comfortable saying it now.”
The greatest shooter of all time would go on to finish the night with 22 points and three assists, while shooting 5/14 from deep.
Earlier, Green joked about how Wiggins never passes the ball on that play.
“He never passes the ball,” Green told Allie LaForce. “In no other scenario would he pass the ball out of that particular play. I can’t believe it.”
Wiggins responded to Green’s retort by noticing how Curry was able to get open.
“It’s a bucket first,” Wiggins told Mark Haynes. “But I seen Steph with a little bit of space, and a chance to make history, so I gave it up, and he made the shot.”
Strength in Numbers
Once again, the Warriors received some much-needed help from the bench. As the Warriors were heading into The Mecca of Basketball, they needed all the help they can get with tired legs.
Additionally, the Warriors went back to a zone defense during the first half to preserve their energy, something they’ve been doing the entire season.
Nemanja Bjelica provided a huge spark, as he scored 14 points and nailed all four of his 3-pointers and the bench mob had 34 points in total. With OPJ resting, the Warriors needed all the help they could get.
Ball Movement is Back
A common theme that has been surrounding the Warriors recently is the chatter around the record and how the team has been hunting for shots, rather than letting the game come to them.
Tonight, the Warriors of old came back, as they converted on 35 field goals on 28 assists. The Warriors’ three-point shooting is also resurged, as they connected on 15/40 from long distance.
The Warriors continue their road trip with another back-to-back on Nov. 17 versus the Celtics and Nov. 18 versus the Raptors.
(Photo credit: Jeff Chiu/AP)