Golden State shot just 37.5 percent over the first two quarters and missed 11 of 13 3-point attempts.
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Instead, the Bucks slowly pulled away as the game wore on, and as the Warriors fired one shot after another off the front of the rim – a sign their legs had finally failed them after taking on all comers over the past six weeks.
They’re not used to losing.
Guard Stephen Curry and the Warriors fell, 108-95, to the Bucks on Saturday night in Milwaukee, ending Golden State’s NBA-record season-opening win streak at 24. It’s even more remarkable that the Warriors have achieved all they have with Luke Walton manning the sidelines in place of head coach Steve Kerr, who is still not fully recovered from offseason back surgery. Tonight it caught up to us. Golden State is off now until Wednesday, when the Suns visit Oracle Arena.
Counting the wins in their final four games last season, the defending National Basketball Association champions have taken 28 regular-season games in a row. The NBA’s longest winning streak is 33 by the Los Angeles Lakers in 1971-72 – and it also was snapped by Milwaukee.
Curry sank a pair of foul shots – his only points of the second overtime – with 13.4 seconds left to give the Warriors a three-point lead.
It was the way they lost that was a little surprising. This was no squeaker at the buzzer, but a Bucks runaway at the end.
Greg Monroe had 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Bucks and Jabari Parker had 19 for the Bucks.
“Streak or no streak, they are the best team in the league until someone knocks them off”, Bucks coach Jason Kidd said.
Stevens told reporters in Charlotte: “This is a great test of will for our team because of the minutes (we played last night), and also the fact that we’re playing a really good team who’s rolling”.
Against the Bucks, it was the first time this season, the Warriors were held under 100 points. Assists – Golden State 23 (Iguodala, Green, Curry 5), Milwaukee 31 (Antetokounmpo 10).
“We wanted to come out with a lot of effort and energy”, said Monroe.
Michael Carter-Williams’ strong drive down the lane and dunk with 42 seconds left put an exclamation point on Milwaukee’s night.
“I’m sure the long flight home tomorrow, we’ll have some guys unwinding a bit”, Walton said. “I think we beat ourselves, especially on my end”.
The game brought a playoff mood and a sold-out crowd to the new Boston Garden, but this time the loyalties were more divided than usual.
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Thaddeus Young scored 18 points and Jarrett Jack had 16 points and 11 assists for the Nets, who were trying for their first three-game winning streak of the season. Stephen Curry added 28 points, five assists, seven rebounds, one steal and only two turnovers.
