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Dallas Mavericks 85 FinalRecap | Box Score 108 Golden State Warriors
David Lee, PF 29 MIN | 3-8 FG | 0-0 FT | 11 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 0 BLK | 1 TO | 6 PTS | +8 It’s not often when Lee will have more rebounds than points, but that was indeed the case on this quirky night for the starters. He only played 29 minutes, which he said afterwards is important as the season goes along because of the starters high minutes and his subsequent injury that followed. His 11 rebounds led the team and the Warriors out-rebounded the Mavericks 46-40 on the night. Defensively, Lee did a great job on the future Hall of Famer, forcing him into contested shots and not letting him find a rhythm for the majority of the night. 

Andre Iguodala, SF 26 MIN | 2-4 FG | 0-2 FT | 2 REB | 5 AST | 0 STL | 2 BLK | 1 TO | 4 PTS | +8 I feel like giving Iguodala an “A+” grade for one sequence alone: Shawn Marion was driving in for the layup as Iguodala blocked it with his left hand, which was followed by a vicious putback slam after a Curry missed three. All this took place in a span of nine seconds, and in my opinion was the best sequence of Iguodala’s season not including the game-winners. The whispers from some of Iguodala’s demise have died quicker than The Yellow King, and the forward is peaking at the perfect time. His five assists helped the offense, and while his game isn’t defined by highlights, the sequence previously mentioned will surely go down as the best of the night.  

Andrew Bogut, C 30 MIN | 7-9 FG | 1-2 FT | 10 REB | 1 AST | 0 STL | 1 BLK | 1 TO | 15 PTS | +13 Opposite his frontcourt counterpart, it’s not often Bogut has more points than rebounds. Given the odd box score, this was to be expected. Bogut has shown off his improved hook shot and continued prowess in the paint as a result of lobs. Seriously, the backdoor lob from Curry might be the most consistent play in the Warriors playbook. It’s a work of art, but it shouldn’t detract from Bogut’s willingness to get dirty on the glass on both ends of the floor. Defensively, Samuel Dalembert, DeJuan Blair and any other Mavericks big felt the presence of Bogut, who has continued this stellar play all season long. 

Stephen Curry, PG 22 MIN | 4-12 FG | 1-1 FT | 2 REB | 4 AST | 3 STL | 0 BLK | 3 TO | 10 PTS | -3 I can’t believe I’m typing this, but Curry actually wasn’t needed on the offensive end tonight. Now, before you send the pitchforks my way, his presence is always needed on the offensive end in the form of the coverages and attention he draws from the opposition that is needed for others to find shots. His output wasn’t needed. He was actually outshined by the likes of Jordan Crawford, which freed up Curry — despite his inexplicable return in the 4Q — for some much needed rest. Before the game, Mark Jackson praised Curry’s defense and said that while Thompson often guard the team’s best guard, it’s not because of Curry’s lack of defensive skill but the fact he does so much on the offensive end he needs the rest. Curry limited the pesky Jose Calderon all night and got the rest that he needed on the eve of a huge Pacific Division game. Curry faces Chris Paul and the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and will surely need more than 10 points for his team to win. 

Klay Thompson, SG 24 MIN | 6-10 FG | 0-0 FT | 3 REB | 1 AST | 1 STL | 0 BLK | 5 TO | 14 PTS | +11 While Thompson had the better shooting night of the Splash Brothers duo, the game lacked an explosive output from either. The fact the Warriors won the game in spite of neither really getting it going is a testament to their improving bench and suddenly deep roster. Thompson once again did an impressive defensive job on Monta Ellis, who was limited to 15 points on 6/13 shooting. The only detriment on Thompson’s record for the game was five turnovers, which is an unusually high number. The bench actually outscored the starters 59-49, which no one would thought was even possible just weeks ago. These limited minutes can only help the starters as the season gets deeper and the games grow in importance. 

Quote of the game:

Looking ahead: The Warriors continue on their difficult week with a quick turnaround and a matchup with the incredibly hot Los Angeles Clippers, who have won eight in a row. They then welcome the Cleveland Cavaliers to Oracle Arena on Friday before finishing their week on the road against the Portland Trailblazers on Sunday.

Your second unit shot chart of the night:

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Your second unit update of the night: 

This is the best the second unit has played all season and it’s really not close. The acquisition of Steve Blake was exactly what this team needed in terms of veteran leadership and ball handling. While Jordan Crawford is the wildest of wild cards — 19 points on 8/12 shooting in 22 minutes — and has the ability to get hot at any given time, it’s Blake’s stability at the position that this team needed. The Warriors entered this season with the hopes that Toney Douglas and Kent Bazemore can battle it out for the backup point guard duties. Now, neither are on this roster and the Warriors are far better off for it.

Blake played the third most minutes on the team on Tuesday, albeit a lot of those coming after the game was already decided. He had eight assists on the night and has proved to be the perfect complement to Jordan Crawford and even Stephen Curry when Mark Jackson sees fit. Harrison Barnes had an impressive game, and while many of his baskets aren’t the most elegant of points, they went in tonight. Draymond Green is now subjected to the eight or even ninth man on most nights, but I have a feeling he’ll be moving up that ladder as the playoffs inch closer.

Jermaine O’Neal played about 15 minutes and left the game with what looked to be a sore lower back, but it was a non-issue afterwards as there weren’t any major concerns expressed in the locker room. Nemanja Nedovic and Mo Speights received some garbage time minutes, which went as well as you’d think it would go.

Your 2007 memory of the night:

Your Andre Iguodala sequence of the night:

Tweets of the night: