One thing we know about the 2020-21 Golden State Warriors: They can beat bad teams.
Despite a recent hot streak, the Detroit Pistons are a bad team. The Warriors waxed them on Saturday night, 118-91, putting together a complete, high-effort performance on both ends that we did not see two days ago in Phoenix. Golden State is now 7-1 vs. teams with losing records, 4-8 vs. teams above .500
It was pretty clear from the beginning that it wasn’t going to be the Pistons (5-15) night. Some would say the writing was on the wall when the Warriors opened up a 10 point lead just a few minutes in. Others would say it was halfway thorough the first quarter, when Blake Griffin had Stephen Curry in the post on consecutive possessions, and couldn’t score either time.
Two Steph Curry defensive stops on a Blake Griffin who doesn't exactly look like the vintage Clippers version pic.twitter.com/Of2a9IUIm0
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) January 31, 2021
It was one of those nights for the Pistons, who had no chance against an engaged Warriors team, one that got solid performances up and down the roster. Five Warriors scored in double figures. Wiggins had 20 (8-for-17), Curry, 28 (11-for-17) and Oubre, 18 (8-for-14). Wiseman had a near double-double, dropping 11 and nine in 17 minutes. The team as a whole shot over 52 percent from the field. They dished 34 assists, had only 13 turnovers.
The defense was just as good, holding a Pistons team that recently dropped 107 and 119 in respective wins over the Lakers and Pistons to just 91 points on over 37 percent shooting. Only Jeremi Grant scored in double figures (18). Blake Griffin had five points in 21 minutes. Wayne Ellington, who entered as the hottest three-point shooter in the NBA, didn’t score a single point and missed all five threes in 18 minutes.
Perhaps no performance was more surprising than that of Jordan Poole, who found himself thrown back into the rotation just one day before he’s scheduled for a lengthy stint in the G-League bubble. For the first time this season, Poole flashed what everyone raved about during his excellent training camp, dropping 16 points in 21 minutes. It’s the perfect confidence boost before Poole heads to Orlando, something he can hopefully build on there before he returns.
While Poole’s performance was the most notable on the hardwood, the best performance of the night came from Klay Thompson, who joined the NBC Sports Bay area telecast in the third quarter. Thompson was supposed to join in the second quarter, but apparently got cold feet. Once he saw they had made a custom background for him, he changed his mind.
#ReporterKlay loves his custom background ?️ pic.twitter.com/DRZNwcYidD
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) January 31, 2021
That was just the beginning. Here are the rest of the highlights, from a guy who was so entertaining, he could do this for a living after he retires. Knowing Klay, he probably has no interest in doing so.
"Mic works. Mic's hot."
Fitz & Kelenna threw to Klay and he started doing a mic check ?
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 31, 2021
Klay after being a quarter late to joining the Warriors broadcast
Klay: "I've got about 8 unanswered Bob Fitzgerald text messages."
Kelenna: "I texted you too!"
Klay: "I don't have your number bro."
(? @NBCSAuthentic) pic.twitter.com/ixoHyuR4q5
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 31, 2021
Fitz: "That's an offensive foul on Oubre."
Klay Thompson: "What's up with eating right now in the city? Is it outdoor seating yet?"
(? @NBCSAuthentic) pic.twitter.com/uJ7pVNtCU5
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 31, 2021
"His ability to get up, slam it down, stretch the floor and guard any position, it's what will help us win a championship in the future."
–Klay Thompson on Andrew Wiggins
(? @NBCSAuthentic) pic.twitter.com/gnNjLCLQOm
— KNBR (@KNBR) January 31, 2021