The Golden State Warriors seek to ride the momentum of a record-breaking opener when they go for a second consecutive season-opening road win against the Utah Jazz on Friday night in Salt Lake City.
The Warriors set franchise records for points in a road opener and margin of victory in any season debut when they thrashed the Portland Trail Blazers 139-104 on Wednesday night.
The game featured sparkling Golden State debuts for Buddy Hield, whose 22 points were the second-most in franchise history by a Warrior off the bench in his first game for the organization, as well as Kyle Anderson, Lindy Waters III and De’Anthony Melton, who combined for 20 points.
In all, seven Golden State players scored in double figures and six made at least two 3-pointers as Stephen Curry celebrated his franchise-record 16th opening night as a Warrior.
Golden State holdover Andrew Wiggins, whose 20 points were two shy of Hield’s team-high total, noted afterward there’s more different about his team this season than just a handful of new faces.
“I think we got the deepest team in the league. I think it’s going to work out great for us,” he said. “Our point of emphasis is to run. When you play fast, guys are going to get tired. I feel like when the bench comes in, they’re not going to miss a beat.”
In the Jazz, the Warriors will be facing a team it swept 4-0 in the season series last year. Golden State has won five straight against Utah.
The Jazz battled Memphis to the wire before falling 126-124 in their opener at home on Wednesday. The game was tied at 116 with 2:48 remaining before the visitors took the lead for good.
Lauri Markkanen, reportedly one of Golden State’s primary targets in an attempt to reshape its roster in the offseason, paced Utah with 35 points in the opening loss.
Jazz coach Will Hardy took time afterward to praise Walker Kessler (16 points, 14 rebounds) and Taylor Hendricks (12 points, 3-for-5 on 3-pointers) as well in a promising season opener for a rebuilding franchise.
“It’s funny, you lose by two and it doesn’t feel good, but I truly did feel like there was more good than bad in that game,” Hardy said. “A bunch of our young players played well. Walker had a great game. I thought Taylor was great. Lauri was a beast tonight.
“The margins are thin in the NBA between winning and losing. We’ll get back to the gym, watch some film, and off we go.”
One area of concern for the Jazz will have to be perimeter defense. After watching the Grizzlies bomb in 17 3-pointers at a 37.8 percent clip, Utah will next see a Golden State team that went 20-for-48 (41.7 percent) in its opener at Portland.
Hield (5-for-7) and Wiggins (4-for-7) led the Warriors’ long-range barrage. Curry hit three of seven from deep while going for 17 points and a near triple-double (10 assists, nine rebounds) in just 25 minutes.
–Field Level Media