The Warriors overcame a slow start and took control of the game in third quarter of Sunday’s 117-106 victory in Sacramento.
Careless turnovers, missed shots and failing to match the energy put out by the Kings all contributed to the Dubs trailing by as many 16 points in the second quarter. But then the Dubs flipped the switch.
They closed the second quarter on a 13-4 run to make it a seven-point game at the half, and that momentum rolled over into the third quarter. And while it was the likes of Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson doing the bulk of the scoring during a game changing 22-3 run that gave the Dubs the lead for good, it was the play of Zaza Pachulia that really sparked the Warriors.
Matched up with the NBA’s best scoring center, Pachulia made life awfully difficult for Sacramento’s DeMarcus Cousins, and his hustle and intelligent play resulted in him gathering several loose balls and giving the Dubs extra possessions.
