DECEMBER 15 , 2004
THE GAME: NEW ORLEANS HORNETS vs. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS
The game started off slowly, with controlled tempo as both teams seemed hesitant taking chances in running the break after turnovers or rebounds.
Baron Davis for the Hornets and
Troy Murphy for the Warriors were the main threats to the baskets, while good defence was being played and scoring chances became increasingly scarce.
The first quarter ended 18 – 17, with the only player coming off the bench and making his presence noticed being
veteran Elden Campbell who
dominated the defensive boards for Golden State. In the second quarter, things immediately appeared to heat up, with fast breaks and lots of good perimeter shots by both teams.
Jamal Mashburn went on a 2 minute scoring rampage putting up 8 points in that period, while on the other hand
Troy Murphy was still leading his team offensively, with 11 points to end thehalf.
A 9 – 0 run for the Hornets inspired by Baron Davis made the score 41 – 30 at a point, but
the Warriors surged right back and managed to close the half at the buzzer, 46 – 39.
Troy Murphy's agility around the painted area allowed him to be the main scoring threat for the Warriors in the first half...
The second half of the contest started out with the
Warriors performing surprisingly and uncharacteristically
well at the defensive end. In the third quarter they only allowed 12 points for their opponents, at the same time being efficient on offence, both from inside and outside. Jason Richardson was clearly having an off night, thus taking limited number of sorts, but his scoring gap was adequately filled by newly acquired backup PG
J.R. Bremer. The 6’ 2” Ohio native
was sniping from a distance AND driving in the basket with purpose. As a result,
the quarter ended 58 – 64, with the momentum clearly in Golden State’s favour. The final quarter saw things getting even, as New Orleans center
Jamal Magloire found his rhuthm on offence and started to score non-stop from the paint, with most of his points being the result of offensive rebounding. It was a toe-to-toe contest up until 4 minuted till the end, when all of a sudden
J-Rich woke up from his slumber and scored consecutive baskets to
give the Warriors an 71 – 77 lead. The Hornets came right back with Davis’ help, so the last minute of the game turned into a thriller.
With the score 77 – 79 and 39.2 seconds to go, sharpshooter
Casey Jacobsen hit an uncontested 3 to make it 80 – 79.
- Warriors ball, the rock finds its way to
Troy Murphy in the key, he misses a contested lay-up but grabs the board and
slams it home to make it 80 – 81.
- 15 seconds before the end, and Baron Davis risks an alley oop pas….
P.J. Brown catches it floating mid-air and slams it with power, 82 – 81 and the crowd erupts.
- 10 seconds,
J-Rich steps on the line and gets called for out of bounds… all seems lost for the Warriors.
- Intentional foul to
Jacobsen, makes both free throws. Score
84 – 81, with 7 seconds to go
-
Golden State inbounds the ball, pass to Bremer, Richardson, he finds Jason Kapono, clock winding down,
releases from 30 feet with P.J. Brown hanging all over him,
shot arches incredibly… and ….
…. IN TO FORCE OT!!! 84 – 84
In overtime,
the psychological factor was clearly in Golden State’s favour, and it showed from the tip-off. Especially Kapono who had just made the tying shot, was unstoppable from long range.
3 consecutive Warriors’ possessions, 3 consecutive J-Rich assists, 3 straight Kapono 3 pointers. That simple. From then on it was a breeze for the visitors, who never felt pressure again.
Final Score: 95 – 103 for Golden
State.
J-Kapp was in the zone from ouside and clinched the game in OT by hiself...
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
JASON KAPONO 21pts – 5/7 3pt – 20mins
Golden State Top Performers:
J.R. Bremer 20pts , 4/10 3pt
Troy Murphy 18pts, 8rebs, 4ast, 8/12 FGs
INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY:
Zach Randolph had 34pts – 8rebs – 5ast – 15/21 FGs in PORTLAND’s 94 – 96 victory at CLEVELAND.
DECEMBER 16, 2004
GAME OF THE DAY/ INDIVIDUAL PERFORMANCE OF THE DAY:
Mike Bibby had 27pts – 11ast – 10/12 FGs – 4/4 3pt in SACRAMENTO’s 105 – 98 win over the LOS ANGELES LAKERS.