CLEVELAND One day removed from the holiday, the Warriors already seem to have abandoned the principles of Thanksgiving. Not long after passing the cranberry sauce at the team dinner Thursday in Cleveland, the Warriors forgot how to share.
"I have no clue what's going on," swingman Stephen Jackson said. "Your guess is as good as mine. I don't even know. We weren't passing the ball. When we share the ball, good things happen. When everybody's out there for self, we ain't going to win like that." One stat that tells it all about Friday's 112-97 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers: The Warriors had a season-low 13 assists.
As a result of the one-on-one style of offense, they shot 39.8 percent from the field and no one got into a rhythm. Jackson was 2-for-11 with 11 points and a season-low three assists. Forward Corey Maggette was 3-for-11 for 11 points. Swingman Kelenna Azubuike was 3-for-8 with eight points.
The performance was so inept, Jamal Crawford's line of 15 points on 6-for-14 shooting with six assists and five turnovers didn't look so bad. Backup point guard C.J. Watson a team-high 17 points on 6-for-7 shooting was Jordan-esque compared with his teammates.
Take away those two, and the Warriors' field goal percentage drops to 33.9 percent.
That's hardly the way to beat the hot Cavaliers (13-3), who were led by LeBron James' 23 points, eight assists, seven rebounds and three steals.
The Warriors trailed by 26 at the end of three quarters, prompting coach Don Nelson to pull the starters to open the fourth quarter.
It was the Warriors' fifth straight loss, and they need a win at New York today to prevent being swept on this five-game road trip.
"If we don't play together, we're going to struggle. Period," Crawford said. "We have to be willing to give up a good shot for a great shot. ... I don't know. It wasn't this bad the last couple games, since I've been here. I've only played three games."
The Warriors were rolling for a quarter. They made their first seven shots (three of which were assisted) and led by as much as 11 in the opening minutes. Golden State scored 32 points on 52.6 percent shooting in the first period and took a six-point lead into the second.
Then all the heart-warming harmony and spirit of giving and togetherness they experienced on Thursday disappeared. In the second and third quarters combined, the Warriors scored 36 points on 10-for-36 shooting with three assists.
It was a far cry from Wednesday's loss at Boston, when the Warriors made nearly half their shots and scored 111 points (with 21 assists). That game was more like Warriors Basketball from a year ago, when they averaged 110.0 points and 22.4 assists. After 16 games this season, the Warriors are averaging 103.4 points and 19.8 assists.
Since Nelson returned before the 2006-07 season, the Warriors have relied on the explosiveness of their offense. But the disarray and unreliability on that end of the court have left an aura of marked frustration.
The Warriors will be facing a Knicks team today that figures to be energized. What's more, with games against Miami, at Houston and at San Antonio looming, the Warriors' season is in danger of spiraling out of control.
"I'm going to try and stay positive and say it won't get bad," Jackson said, "but we can't keep saying we're going to get the next one. We can't keep relying on that. You got to actually do it. It can get bad, but hopefully we come out (today) with the attitude of not letting us come on the road and not win a game."
Contact Marcus Thompson II at mthomps2@bayareanewsgroup.com.Cavaliers 112, Warriors 97today: at Knicks, 4:30 p.m. TV: CSNBA. Radio: 680-AMNo honeymoonSince Jamal Crawford joined the Warriors' starting lineup, the team hasn't won a game. Here's a look at Crawford's production this week:TuesdayWizards 124, Warriors 100Minutes Points Rebounds29 9 0Assists Steals Turnovers7 1 1wednesdayCeltics 119, Warriors 111Minutes Points Rebounds37 18 6Assists Steals Turnovers6 0 4fridaycavaliers 112, Warriors 97Minutes Points Rebounds35 15 5Assists Steals Turnovers6 1 5
