Coming off a blowout loss to the Brooklyn Nets in the NBA season opener, the Warriors will travel Milwaukee on Christmas Day for a chance at getting their first win of the 2020-21 campaign.
Before tipoff against Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Bucks, Warriors Wire is looking at memorable matchups, standout performances and everything else in between from the Warriors on Christmas Day.
Dec. 25, 2019
While a Christmas matchup in primetime usually marks the start of a long run to the playoffs for the Golden State Warriors, 2019 was a different story. Without Klay Thompson and Steph Curry, the Warriors only registered eight wins before the Houston Rockets coming to town on Christmas day.
Despite being a heavy underdog, the Warriors registered one of their best performances of the season. After falling behind in the first half, Golden State’s defense kept them in the game against James Harden, Russell Westbrook and the Rockets.
The Draymond Green led defensive unit limited Harden to only 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting with 11 assists and six rebounds. In 38 minutes, Golden State’s defense held Harden to only one free throw attempt.
On offense, all five of Golden State’s starters marked double-figures in scoring, with three different Warriors notching 20 or more points.
D’Angelo Russell and Draymond Green chipped in 20 points each, while Damion Lee tallied 22 with a career-high 15 boards. Green also finished the game with a double-double on 11 boards with three assists and a block in 33 minutes.
The combination of second-half defense paired with inspired efforts from Lee and Green helped seal Golden State’s best-upset victory during the 2019-20 season, 116-104.
Watch full highlights from the Warriors win on Christmas Day via YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tY7SOo51K1A
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