OAKLAND – When the weather gets cold and a team has played extensively, it’s a challenge to get up for games in December. The Warriors fall into that category after winning the championship last year and they are now trying to climb that summit to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight season.
On Monday, the Warriors were without three-fifths of their starting lineup. Veteran Kevin Durant realizes with those injuries, the team’s defensive focus has to be intense.
“Our focus level is on another level because of the injuries we have on our team,” Durant said after beating Portland 111-104 for the Warriors’ seventh straight win. “With Steph, Draymond, Zaza (out with injuries). We have to be locked in on every single play. It’s hard to do in December, especially when you win a championship.”
The Warriors held Portland to 42 percent shooting from the floor and just 25 percent from 3-point range.
“With (the injuries) we’re going to need everybody to step up and I think we did it as a group today,” Durant said.