SAN JOSE – The turnovers, oh the turnovers.
That’s what Warriors coach Steve Kerr will talk about, and that’s perhaps the biggest problem the team will spend the next week trying to solve.
The Warriors committed 15 giveaways in the first half Thursday night and 24 for the game and still posted a 105-96 preseason win over the Sacramento Kings at SAP Center in downtown San Jose.
The Warriors were led by small forward Kevin Durant, whose 25 points led all scorers. Ian Clark came off the bench for 16 points, while Stephen Curry put in 13 and Klay Thompson added 11 as the Warriors lifted their record to 2-1.
Coming off a dazzling victory over the Clippers on Tuesday, the Warriors failed to reach a similar intensity on defense and surely didn’t help themselves with poorly conceived passes that often led to trouble.
They trailed deep in the fourth quarter before back-to-back 3-pointers by Clark and Patrick McCaw provided a 100-96 lead with 1:50 remaining.
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STANDOUT PERFORMERS
Durant and Curry carried most of the load, and Draymond Green was there to produce when they did not.
Durant’s line: 25 points (8-of-11 from the field, 4-of-6 from beyond the arc and 5-of-5 from the line), five rebounds and two blocked shots. He was plus-8 in 26 minutes.
Curry’s line: 13 points (3-of-8, 2-of-5, 5-of-5), five assists, four steals and a block. He was plus-13 in 26 minutes.
Green’s line: 9 points (2-of-5, 1-of-3, 4-of-7), five rebounds, five assists and two steals. He was plus-11 in 25 minutes.
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE
Zaza Pachulia, who came over from Dallas to assume the role of starting center, replacing Andrew Bogut, was frequently abused by Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins.
Cousins managed to score 20 points in 20 minutes, with most of the damage coming against Pachulia, who, as Kerr has indicated, can’t protect the rim as well as ex-Warriors Festus Ezeli and Bogut.
INJURY UPDATE
Warriors: F Kevon Looney (L groin strain) was listed as questionable and upgraded to available prior to tipoff. C Damian Jones (R pectoral surgery) and G Elliot Williams (R knee surgery) are listed as out.
Kings: No injuries listed.
WHAT’S NEXT
The Warriors take an extended break from game action, returning Friday Oct. 14 to face the Nuggets at Pepsi Center in Denver.
