I just can't go to see a game come home and write about it. There needs to be some amount of time for reflection and in the case of last nights game, more reflection. Couple of notes from last nights game. Friday's game and last nights game were the two most difficult games I have been to in a long time as far as getting to the arena, and getting into the parking lot. Both nights there were plenty of empty seats from fans stuck in the parking lot, outside the arena, or getting in the door. All in all, the arena parking, traffic control, and ticket taking are pretty awful.

Sitting down, it just didn't feel like, felt more like a regular season game, casual atmosphere, no one was really into it. Maybe the fans were tired, I know I was. From JRich's first shot I knew it was going to be bad, he missed a three pointer and his legs were barely in the shot, no lift, hit it short off the rim. No energy, the rest of the team looked the same, or for the players that did have energy they looked like they were pressing. The game just felt weird, like a caricature of a playoff game instead of the real thing, maybe I am coming down with a head cold.

Playmaker in the mens' room talking on his cell phone while doing his business, between the 3rd and 4th quarters. Pretty sure he just flushed the game away right there.

Small ball and the tyranny of the little things, that is my feeling on the game, the series and the Warriors in general. The previous home games the Warriors came out hot, hit threes had energy and the crowd carried them. This night, no such luck, close game all the time, lots of hard fouls on both sides, plenty of BS calls, good defense by Utah.

Utah would swarm Barron he would kick it out or around for another shooter who would then miss. Once that happens the Jazz just keep coming after Barron until someone makes a shot. There was nothing available inside because the outside shots weren't falling. The few times BD or SJax did get to the hoop it was after many direction changes, shakes, bakes etc. Low percentage opportunities with high percentage chances for turnovers. Jackson had 6 turnovers many of them from ill advised moves to the hoop.

The Warriors style of play is all about the big things. Big threes, big dunks, big leads, big scoring quarters, steals, blocks. Scoreboard fillers that carry with them greater energy than your average pound it in 2 pointer. The problem is that the playoffs are frequently about the little things. Free throws, getting a basket when you really need it, slowing the pace down to preserve a lead, not getting stupid fouls, not getting technicals, getting an important offensive rebound. When the Warriors execute on the big items, they win big, but when they are in a close game, that's another story. Game 2 in Utah, should have been an easy win. Game 4 in Oakland could have been a win, but for the lack of success in handling the little things.

The Warriors live by the three and die by the three, in the open court run and gun style the 3 when working is deadly, carries momentum and can break the will of an opposing team. The other team spends 20 seconds getting a quality shot off only to have the Warriors run it back and toss in a 3 in under 6 seconds. If the Warriors can't run, or can't sink their shots, they have no fallback offense. This is the same issue that plagues them in the 4th quarter of close games.

Steals are another Warriors staple, but when the opposing team has reasonable ball handlers and are not moving at the Warriors pace, there are not as many opportunities to make the big steal. The Warriors only had 9 steals Sunday night, their second lowest total of the series, only having 8 in a game 1 loss in Utah. With the Utah guards out of foul trouble, and pushing the pace Utah likes to play, there just weren't as many opportunities for the Warriors to get steals and get out on the break.

Big leads, none, the Warriors couldn't get any separation at all from the Jazz. Warriors fans aren't dumb, we pretty much knew that if we couldn't get up by 10-15 in the 4th we didn't have much hope of winning. When the shots aren't falling, and the game is close, your odds aren't great.

Free throws, another small item, that we know haunts the Warriors. Game 2 in Utah, 1 made free throw away from a win. We missed 7 in the last 3 minutes, you aren't going to close out many games like that, especially in the playoffs. The Warriors shot 80% on Friday in their win, and shot 62% last night in the loss. 13 points not enough to get the win, but certainly a momentum changer. The Jazz shot 86% 37-43, the disparity in foul calls is another small item. Last nights game had the highest disparity of calls in the series +9 for the Jazz. The Warriors don't seem to get much respect at home.

I have some mixed feelings on what Tuesday night holds for the Warriors. I want to think they will come back strong, but they didn't show much last night, they didn't seem like they wanted to be playing, they looked tired. Maybe they will phone it in tomorrow and go on vacation early.

More likely, they will come out firing, and if the shots go down they will keep firing and potentially burry the Jazz to bring the series home. If they miss coming out, and keep it close they will lose down the stretch, or worst case scenario, they have nothing left in the tank and from the start will just get rolled.