What we learned as Steph, Post triggered Warriors’ victory over bulls

What we learned as Steph, Post triggered Warriors’ victory over bulls Originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Box score

San Francisco – How did Warriors react one night After blowing a lead of 18 points To their North California Rivals, Sacramento Kings? By learning their homework and crushing Chicago Bulls in the second half to enjoy a 131-106 win on the second night in a back-to-back.

The third quarter was a disaster for Warriors the night before when Kings deleted a 17-point half-time deficit and scored Golden State by 37-20. On Thursday night in the Chase Center, Warriors were behind with a point in the half, only to surpass the bulls by 31-16 in the third quarter to a 14-point lead in the fourth and never looked back.

The same night he was appointed to an NBA All-Star Game Starts for 10th time and 11th time overall, Steph Curry scored 21 points and made five 3-points back with four rebounds and seven assists. Warriors’ youth, however, is what gave them a much needed jerk to get back in the victory column.

Gui Santos, 22continued to open their eyes and achieved career height 19 points on 7-of-10 shooting, including 5 of 6 from deep. Rookie Quinten Post, 24added a 20-point career height in 20 minutes while walking 5 out of 10 behind the 3-point line.

Here are three takeaways from an impressive Warriors blowout victory that pushes them back to .500 at 22-22:

Welcome back, Podz

After missing the last 12 games due to a stomach injury, Brandin Podziemski made his long-awaited return to the track and checked in for the first time at 3: 47 in the first quarter. Podziemski did not register any statistics in the first quarter, but he was a plus-7 and as always he took a responsibility.

Steve Kerr said at his press conference before the match that Podziemski would play for short laps and he held himself to his word. When the second quarter started, Podziemski was back to be on the bench where he stayed in the first four plus minutes of the second quarter. Then his scoring began.

Podziemski’s first shot attempt was a successful threesome while guarding by Josh Giddey. Shortly after, Podziemski beat a jump shot on the middle course, something that could be crucial to his development. In the second quarter, Podziemski spoke seven points and three rebounds, making him a plus-11 in the first half.

When he played his first match since December 28, Podziemski ended up with 10 points, four rebounds and two assists for a plus-22 in 21 minutes. His game was very similar to his first team all-rookie campaign.

Mr. Postman

Podziemski was not alone when he first checked in. Wednesday night in Sacramento received post first half minute for the first time in his NBA career. The next night he was on the floor in the first quarter for the first time. His influence could also be felt quite immediately.

Post emptied his first 3-point attempt in the match for a minute and a half when he came in. With a little more than a minute left of the first half, Post showed exactly the skill that excites Warriors the most, and made a pick-and-pop 3-pointer after putting a screen for Curry.

The rooki checked in again in the last two minutes of the third quarter, and with 15 seconds left, Post made his third 3-point in the match. He started the fourth quarter and again made one three from the top of the arch early in the neighborhood. The 7-foot player made two threes in the fourth quarter without hesitation.

It’s hard to imagine that post will soon be sent back to Santa Cruz.

Decisions, decisions

The six bench players who played in the first half surpassed Warriors’ start-five by 13 points, 38-25. Each bench player had a positive plus/minus and each starter was in negative. The product and results were impossible to miss, so Kerr made a change.

Gary Payton II (Zero Point, Minus-17) and Trayce Jackson-Davis (two points, minus-11) were on the bench to start the second half. They were replaced by Santos (11 points, Plus-17) and Kevon Looney (four points, plus-5). Going forward, KERR will have even greater decisions to make.

Kyle Anderson should soon be back from his glutter injury. Daymond Green will be reassessed on Monday. Jonathan Kuminga may not be back until after the All-Star break. When he returns, what will the rotation look like?

Santos has proven to be part of Kerr’s plans. Moody’s 3-point shooting lately has been crucial, and he now scored double-digit in five consecutive matches. Post’s skills feel like a revelation for this team.

Who will be the odd man out? Kerr’s call will not be easy.

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