I know they have stats for wins and losses in three-point games and wins and losses in five-point games, etc., but I have another way of determining what a close game is or not: Whether I think it was or not.
By my count, the Warriors have played 10 games this year that came down to the last few minutes, the last few possessions — crunch time, if you will — the times when games are decided. I’ve got them 5-5 in those games, including 0-3 in overtime games.
You might quibble that there should be another couple or few games among this list. Fair enough. These are the ones that jumped out to me.
There have been a few criticisms of the Warriors so far this season, and, yes, that’s even while they’ve rolled to a league-best 43-8 record. They include their propensity for turnovers, their questionable late-game shot selection and their inability, at times, to compete with the opponent’s physicality. There’s also a perception out there that the Warriors haven’t played well at the offensive end during close games. I figured I’d take a look at the dozen games and tally up how they did at that end when the game was on the line.
–At Milwaukee: Warriors 124, Bucks 121 — The Warriors were up 14 points with under seven minutes remaining, so they withstood Bucks’ comeback … and blew that lead, which may become a little bit of a theme.
After Stephen Curry bucket made it 122-117 with 2:47 remaining, the Warriors’ possessions went as follows: Kevin Durant missed 3, Draymond Green miss, Curry missed 3, Green miss, Durant miss. That’s no field goals in five big possessions.
It didn’t matter because Green stole a Tony Snell inbounds pass with a second left to preserve the win.
Matt Steinmetz 