Back to the future: Warriors vs. Wizards

How did Golden State do with their keys to victory against Washington?

The Golden State Warriors suffered perhaps their most deflating and frustrating loss of the season on Friday night, losing 110-107 to the Washington Wizards, and blowing a three-point lead in the final seconds.

Lovely.

So let’s see how they did with their pregame keys to victory from my preview.

Remember the Bucks win

The key: Carry over the things that worked on Tuesday, and use them again.

The outcome: Welp.

After a solid victory over the (admittedly Giannis Antetokounmpo lacking) Milwaukee Bucks, the Warriors seemed to move away from the elements that had given them success.

There were fewer high pick and rolls. There was less downhill movement from Draymond Green. There was less aggression from the wings. There were fewer cuts. There was less crisp ball movement.

And the result was worse. Who knew?

Grading the key: 2 out of 10.

Hustle and discipline

The key: Out-discipline and out-hustle a team with little discipline but a lot of hustle.

The outcome: This can probably be summed up on the final sequence of the game, when the Warriors gave up an offensive rebound, and then fouled Bradley Beal as he attempted (and made) a game-tying three-pointer.

Despite having two days off, and being at home, the Warriors had absolutely no hustle and energy in the first half, and they were lacking discipline throughout.

They committed 20 fouls, which is not bad for them ... but still bad!

Grading the key: 1.5 out of 10.

Clean the glass

The key: Win the rebounding battle.

The outcome: The Warriors did not win the rebounding battle. In fact they lost the rebounding battle, by a margin of 47 to 41.

Russell Westbrook had 14 rebounds, which was twice as many as anyone wearing a Dubs jersey.

Grading the key: 3.5 out of 10.

Bench scoring

The key: Some bench contributions.

The outcome: The Warriors bench combined for just 14 points on 4-for-17 shooting.

Damion Lee was the only bench player who contributed much of anything, as he had 10 of those points (plus 4 steals) and scored efficiently. But his night was soured a bit by committing the turnover that cost the Warriors the game.

Grading the key: 3.5 out of 10.

Well that wasn’t too fun, was it.

At least they get to bounce back tonight with a quick turnaround against the Houston Rockets.