The Warriors fall straight to fourth place after the Suns bury them with a blistering first half – The Mercury News

PHOENIX – Putting together 48-minute performances is becoming a problem for the Warriors, and it was certainly their fourth straight loss.

Against the Suns at the Footprint Center, the Warriors fell behind early on due to poor defense and, despite a furious attempt, were unable to break free from the gap.

Steph Curry returned after a one-game absence and scored 23 points, but Devin Booker topped his Olympic teammate with 27 and nine assists. Phoenix won the first half 66:49 and from then on held the Warriors back with consistent play from its stars.

The Warriors (12-7) applied more pressure in the second half but didn’t have enough room to maneuver in the fourth quarter as the Suns outscored them 113-105.

After cutting a 17-point halftime deficit to seven with a strong third quarter, the Warriors clawed their way into a five-point game with 71 seconds left.

But instead of truly turning the game around, the Suns held on tight enough to fend off Golden State. Teams with closers like Kevin Durant and Booker have a habit of crushing comeback dreams.

Early in the game, the Suns shot lights out and built a double-digit lead by going 9-for-13 through three games.

Brandin Podziemski (12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) helped keep the Warriors close by scoring eight points in the first quarter – including two much-needed 3s. The second-year guard picked up two offensive fouls and also made two one-on-one stops in isolation against Kevin Durant.

Phoenix constantly put the Warriors’ defense in scramble mode, with Durant drawing double teams or other players driving into the lane and pivoting them around the perimeter. They made one three-pointer after another and scored 14 of 21 goals in the 66:49 first half.

The Warriors played 13 players, including Pat Spencer, in the first 14 minutes of the game. It continued Golden State’s season-long trend of playing a deep rotation to maximize defensive intensity – only there wasn’t much of that on Saturday night.

“It’s not easy for the players, it’s not easy for the coaches to figure out who to play and when,” Kerr said before the game. “I think we’re still sorting out combinations and trying to figure out the best solutions from one night to the next. I don’t necessarily think it will continue like this for 82 games.”

In fact, Kerr naturally adjusted his rotation in the second half. Kevon Looney replaced Trayce Jackson-Davis early in the second half, joining Curry, Podziemski, Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green. The Warriors immediately went on a 7-0 run behind improved defense.

Instead of pairing Phoenix’s five-out lineups with smaller groups, the Warriors more often played two big teams together in the second half for defense and rebounding purposes. It worked, the Warriors won the third period 29:19.