Warriors player Brandin Podziemski was optimistic about the future as he entered the locker room on Friday night, leading the team over the Dallas Mavericks by two points at the half. Say that with a great deal of optimism.
In an interview with the NBC Sports Bay Area broadcast team after halftime, Podziemski stated:
“We’re just playing with desperation,” “We know our season is on the line. We’re trying to get up to that six seed, being only three games back.”
The sixth seed? All right. After all, the Warriors, who were in 10th place, had discovered their defensive groove. After eliminating a 16-point deficit early on, they had won six straight games and were on the verge of making it seven. In the Western Conference standings, that would put them one step closer to that much sought-after but still distant place.
If Stephen Curry could beat the Mavericks, who are throwing everything they have at him, and Draymond Green can produce another extraordinary performance, the Warriors might be closer to winning the game.
Whether their defense might hold up late in the game is anyone’s guess
Draymond was unable. Though he came near, Steph was unable to. And the defense in the latter stages of the game was one stop away from at least forcing OT. The outcome, a 108-106 setback in Dallas, serves as a warning of the difficulties Golden State still faces.