Month: January 2021

Warriors New Year’s Eve Rewind: Alec Burks and Glenn Robinson III push Spurs into OT in 2019

Before th4 Warriors tipoff against the Trail Blazers, Warriors Wire is rewinding through the team’s memorable matchups, standout performances and everything else in between from New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Before the Golden State Warriors tipoff against the Portland Trail Blazers for the 2020-21 season opener at Chase Center in San Francisco on the first day of 2021, Warriors Wire is rewinding through the team’s memorable matchups, standout performances and everything else in between from New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.

Dec. 31, 2019

Ahead of the ball dropping on 2019, the Warriors battled the San Antonio Spurs into overtime at AT&T Center in Texas. With D’Angelo Russell sidelined, Steve Kerr leaned on veteran wings Glenn Robinson III and Alec Burks.

After the Warriors jumped out to a seven-point advantage in the first quarter, DeMar DeRozan pushed the Spurs into the lead before the st art of the fourth quarter. Outside of DeRozan, five different members of the Spurs notched double-figures in scoring.

Despite San Antonio’s comeback, Robinson III, Burks and Draymond Green wouldn’t let the Warriors’ year-end without a fight. With a bevy of lead changes in the fourth quarter, the Warriors were able to extend the game into overtime.

Yet, Dejounte Murray notched seven of San Antonio’s 17 points in the overtime period to seal the Spurs’ New Year’s Eve win, 117-113.

Burks scored a game-high 28 points on 9-of-20 shooting from the field with a pair of triples, four assists, a steal and a rebound in 38 minutes. Robinson III added 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. Lee tallied another 20 points for Golden State while Draymond Green nearly recorded a triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists. Yet it wasn’t enough to close out Derozan and the Spurs on New Year’s Eve.

In Golden State’s 2021 New Year’s against Portland, Green could make his 2020-21 season debut after missing the first f our games due to an injury in his right foot.

Watch Highlights from Golden State’s overtime battle with the Spurs via YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeGnEKjU0ag

Sugar Bowl key matchup: Ohio State HC Ryan Day versus Clemson HC Dabo Swinney

In our final key matchup of the Ohio State versus Clemson Sugar Bowl, we look at Ryan Day versus Dabo Swinney.

Last season the battle between Ohio State and Clemson came ultimately to the battle of the coaches. For every move Ryan Day made, Dabo Swinney had an answer. For every adjustment Dabo Swinney made, Ryan Day was looking to make another. Swinney walked away the victor and Day went home to learn from the loss.

This year, Ryan Day and Dabo Swinney meet up again, however this time in the Sugar Bowl with the same reward on the line that results in a chance to go to the College Football Playoff championship game. After a rocky season for both teams due to COVID, this game seemed like it may not happen.

For Ryan Day, he and his staff underestimated the running ability of Trevor Lawrence last year. As the game wore on, and by the time Day made adjustments, this became a problem for the Buckeyes. Early in the game Day and the Buckeyes’ defense had done well to slow down Lawrence and the Tigers’ offense.

Ohio State vs. Clemson Sugar Bowl, how and where to watch and listen
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This year, Day needs to have learned from his mistakes last season and respect Lawrence’s ability to use his feet. Trying to contain Lawrence will be paramount to an Ohio State victory. Day may decide to use the run game to keep Lawrence off the field and then force Swinney to have to adjust. If Day decides to use this strategy, then making sure Justin Fields is only taking what is given until there is a shot downfield should keep Clemson off-balance.

Swinney is no stranger to coaching in these types of games. For Swinney, the goal will be to get Ohio State into longer third downs to pressure Justin Fields into making mistakes. On offense, Swinney will use a heavy dose of Travis Ettiene to try to create room for Lawrence to operate in. Ohio State has had some issues this season on defense that Swinney will certainly look to exploit.

We can talk all day about the matchups on the field, but the real matchup will start between the two head coaches. Swinney and Day will be the biggest key matchup this year. If Day can adjust a little faster than Swinney, Ohio State could walk out Sugar Bowl winners.

WATCH: What Ohio State’s Ryan Day and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney had to say at their joint Sugar Bowl press conference

 

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