Warriors lose to Jazz by 40, limp into playoffs on 7-10 run
These aren't the dominant Golden State Warriors of old.
After averaging 69 wins over the last three years, the Dubs completed the 2017-18 regular season Tuesday night at 58-24 - following a 119-79 road beatdown by the Utah Jazz.
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The 40-point loss was the Warriors' worst margin of defeat since Steve Kerr became head coach in 2014, and the biggest loss by a defending NBA champion since the Heat lost by 42 to the Bulls in 2006-07.
Utah has posed a particular problem for Golden State this season, going 3-1 against them. In two losses in Salt Lake City, the Warriors were a minus-70. With the Jazz playing the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday with the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference at stake, there's a possibility Golden State and Utah could meet in the second round of the playoffs.
Already missing Stephen Curry through the first round, the Warriors are backing into the postseason. Golden State is 7-10 since March 9, and has the NBA's 21st-best net rating in that time.
After Tuesday's loss, Dubs coach Steve Kerr didn't sound as frustrated as he has of late, but knows the real season begins this weekend.
"My message is go home, take a day off, enjoy yourselves," he said, according to The Athletic's Anthony Slater.