Warriors' comeback puts team in historic company
Coming back from a 20-point deficit in the fourth quarter of an NBA playoff game is not something that's particularly common. The Golden State Warriors' 123-119 overtime win over the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night marked just the third time it's happened.
The two previous instances were the Los Angeles Clippers downing the Memphis Grizzlies in 2012 and the Paul Pierce-led furious comeback by the Celtics over the Nets in 2002.
The Warriors, who dropped 54 points in the fourth quarter and OT after scoring 69 through three, improved to 3-3 this season after trailing by 20 at any point during a game. For reference, the rest of the NBA is 12-433 this year when in a 20-point hole.
However, not only was it the first time the Dubs completed a fourth-quarter, 20-point comeback this season, it was the first time they've done so in the shot-clock era.
1st time in shot-clock era that Warriors won game in which they trailed by at least 20 pts entering 4th quarter
Previously: 0-358 (ELIAS)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 24, 2015
It was a backbreaking loss for the Pelicans, who are all but finished in the series. According to numberfire.com, even before Stephen Curry's game-tying three with 9.6 seconds left in regulation, New Orleans still held a 93.48-percent chance of winning the game.
The key was Golden State's second-chance points. The Warriors outscored the Pelicans 16-2 on second-chance opportunities in the fourth quarter, including the tying Curry three.
Draymond Green grabbed five of his seven offensive rebounds in the fourth and OT - before fouling out with under a minute left in the extra period. He finished with 17 total boards to go with 12 points, five assists and three steals.
Draymond after the game, on not winning DPOY: "Great day for me. All that other stuff is for the birds"
— Ethan Strauss (@SherwoodStrauss) April 24, 2015
- With h/t ESPN Stats and Info