The Warriors close out 2016 with a matchup against the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.
Warriors vs. MavericksFriday, Dec. 307:30 p.m.Oracle Arena
TV: CSN Bay Area
RADIO: 95.7 The Game, Warriors Radio Network
LAST ONE OF '16
The Warriors play their final game of 2016 when they host the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Friday night. This will be the second of three matchups between the two teams this season, after Golden State prevailed 116-95 in their only prior encounter back on November 9th. The game also falls on Authentic Fan Friday, and all fans in attendance will receive an Authentic Fan Cheer Card, courtesy of CSN Bay Area. Tipoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Watch the action on CSN Bay Area, or listen to the call on 95.7 The Game and the Warriors Radio Network.
LAST TIME OUT
The Warriors opened their five-game homestand on a winning note, holding off the Raptors and their high-powered offense in a 121-111 victory on Wednesday night at Oracle Arena. Full Recap
COMING TO THE GAME?
The Warriors and AEG want to ask for your help in the fight against hunger. Please bring non-perishable food and monetary donations to Friday’s game to support the Alameda County Community Food Bank. Donation bins will be located at all main entrances and monetary donations can be made until halftime at the table located on the main concourse near Section 118.
MATCHUP AT A GLANCE
GSW
28-5
1st in West
117.3 PPG (1st)
45.5 RPG (6th)
31.2 APG (1st)
DAL
10-23
T-14th in West
95.0 PPG (30th)
38.4 RPG (30th)
19.5 APG (28th)
PROJECTED STARTERS
GSW: Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Kevin Durant, Draymond Green and Zaza Pachulia
DAL: Deron Williams, Wesley Matthews, Dorian Finney-Smith, Harrison Barnes and Dirk Nowitzki
INJURY & ROSTER NOTES
GSW: Patrick McCaw (flu-like symptoms) is questionable. Team Notes
DAL: Jose Juan Barea (left leg muscle strain) and Andrew Bogut (rest) are out. Dirk Nowitzki (illness) is questionable. Team Notes
DOMINATING DEFENSE
For what seems like decades, the Warriors have tended to be known as an offensive team. But, the truth of the matter is, their recent success over the last few seasons has everything to do with their identity as a stalwart defensive group. Yes, Golden State leads the league in scoring by a wide margin, but they have been equally impressive on the defensive end, relative to their NBA counterparts. Following their win over Toronto on Wednesday, the Warriors now rank first in the league in opponent field goal percentage, opponent three-point percentage, steals per game and blocks per game, while ranking second in the Association in defensive rating, opponent effective field goal percentage, and defensive rebounds per game. Anytime a team has that much success defensively, they’re going to be awfully tough to beat, and that goes without even considering how dynamic these Warriors can be offensively. The defensive numbers are actually trending up – Golden State possesses the best defensive rating in the NBA since Thanksgiving – so it’s quite possible we haven’t seen the best of them yet on that end of the floor.
TEAM LEADERS
GSW
PTS: Durant (26.1)
REB: Durant (8.8)
AST: Green (7.4)
DAL
PTS: Barnes (20.3)
REB: Bogut (9,9)
AST: Williams (6.9)
DALLAS SCOUTING REPORT
The Mavericks have rebounded somewhat from a terrible start to the season, but still face a long road ahead if they hope to work their way back into the playoff picture. At 10-23, Dallas is tied for the worst record in the Western Conference and possesses just three more wins than Philadelphia for the fewest in the NBA. They’ve been playing better of late, however, and have won four of seven heading into their matchup with the Warriors in the Bay Area. It’s been a struggle offensively, as the Mavericks rank dead last in the NBA with an average of 95.0 points per game, at least 2.9 points fewer than any other team in the league. As such, playing what will be their second road game in as many nights, Dallas will need to clamp down defensively against Golden State if they hope to pull off the upset.