SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 10: Brandin Podziemski #2 of the Golden State Warriors passes around Josh Giddey #3 of the Chicago Bulls during the first half at Chase Center…
SAN FRANCISCO — One day was all it took for the Warriors to top their worst loss of the season.
After failing to pull out a win while the Jazz rested their best players in crunch time on Monday, the Warriors returned home Tuesday and once again proved incapable of beating a tanking team.
The Warriors were at the foul line with the lead in the final moments of regulation but still couldn’t finish off a 130-124 overtime loss to the lowly Bulls, who outscored them in 12-6 in the extra period.
“We just couldn’t close it out,” coach Steve Kerr said. “They were the better team in OT.”
Gui Santos, Kristaps Porzingis, LJ Cryer and Pat Spencer all scored 17 points to lead the Warriors, but Golden State had no answer for Matas Buzelis, who finished with 41 points on 16-of-28 shooting. Josh Giddey added 21 points, 17 assists and 13 rebounds for a triple-double.
Back-to-back losses to the Bulls and Jazz amounted to a serious case of whiplash after strong efforts from Golden State to beat the Rockets and threaten the Thunder on the road last week.
“Both very winnable games,” Kerr said. “Had the lead late tonight. Obviously one we should’ve had. But this is how the NBA is, especially when you’re beaten up. Games are going to be tight. You’ve got to finish. And we haven’t finished either of the past two nights.”
Brandin Podziemski looks to pass the ball while guarded by Josh Giddey. Getty Images
What it means
Kerr has been on the cusp of 600 wins since the Warriors beat the Rockets in Houston last week. He hasn’t been able to break through against two tanking teams.
Even with the beleaguered state of their roster, the Warriors’ past two losses will go down as two of their worst of the season. Two of the easiest games left on Golden State’s schedule just happened to line up as their only stretch this season with a home-road back-to-back.
No wonder the Warriors looked out of gas for most of the night.
The loss dropped Golden State below .500 for the first time since it was 14-15 on Dec. 20.
The Warriors (32-33) now sit a half game behind the Clippers (32-32), ninth in the Western Conference.
Turning point
Once again, the Warriors lost the game at the foul line.
After two dreadful performances from the stripe, the Warriors shot it far better against the Bulls, converting 16-of-18 attempts in regulation. But holding a 117-116 lead with 8 seconds left, LJ Cryer was only able to convert one of his two free throws.
“You make the free throw, probably a different outcome of the game,” said Cryer, who tied with Spencer for a team-best plus-18 off the bench.
Draymond Green celebrates a 3-pointer against the Bulls. AP
On the other end, Draymond Green fouled Jalen Smith on a desperation attempt that sent him to the line with 1.4 seconds left. Smith sank both of his free throws to send the game to overtime.
“He got his hand on his body,” Kerr said. “It was a foul. I’m sure he’d like to have that one back. He just got his hand in the wrong spot.”
Playing their second game in two nights in as many cities, the Warriors were sluggish from the outset and the crowd inside Chase Center reciprocated with an atmosphere to match. But the lower bowl rose to its feet as Golden State erased a 13-point deficit.
When the Bulls forced overtime, fans streamed for the exits. They apparently already knew how this one was going to end.
MVP: Gary Payton II
The 6-foot-2 Payton was a constant presence around the basket and finished with 12 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double. The 11 rebounds led the Warriors, including a team-best three on the offensive glass, all of which Payton cleaned up for putback dunks.
Stat of the game: Zero
That is the number of minutes De’Anthony Melton played against the Bulls, despite the Warriors limiting his action Monday at Utah with the intent of him playing in the back-to-back.
Brandin Podziemski drives to the basket against the double team. Getty Images
Likewise, the Warriors sat both Porzingis and Al Horford against the Jazz so that both could play Tuesday against the Bulls. It’s no sure thing that either game hinged on the three players’ availability, but in the end, both ended in stinging losses.
Kerr said afterward that Melton tweaked his hamstring/groin late against the Jazz and had it act up overnight, preventing him from playing against Chicago.
Before the game, Kerr said he was hopeful Melton could establish that he was up to the task.
“We need him,” he said. “He’s obviously one of our best players.”
Up next
The Warriors host Anthony Edwards and the Timberwolves on Friday in their last home game until March 25. They hit the road for five games, including two more sets of back-to-backs, beginning Sunday against the Knicks at Madison Square Garden.
The most important date for the Warriors this week, however, is Wednesday. That is when Steph Curry (knee), who missed his 15th straight game, is set to be re-evaluated.