The Warriors’ and Suns’ first meeting of the new NBA season on Tuesday night lived up to the billing, despite being an ugly, sloppy, turnover-filled affair. These are the best two clubs in the Western Conference. These aren’t just the top two teams in the NBA, they’re the greatest in the league. F

Due to the historically high quality of both teams this year, Tuesday night’s game was historic even before it started. For the first time ever, both sides came into the match having played at least 20 games with a winning % of at least.850 and riding winning streaks of at least seven games.

Four Reasons For Optimism After Warriors Ugly Loss to Suns

The Warriors’ seven-game victory streak came to an end with a 104-96 loss in Phoenix, extending the Suns’ win streak to 17 games following a No-Loss November.

Draymond Green wasn’t himself and over-passed, Kevon Looney couldn’t keep up with Deandre Ayton and the Suns’ size, and Steph Curry had one of his worst shooting nights ever. However, the Warriors still have plenty to gain from this defeat, since they will face this same opponent again this coming Friday at home in the Chase Center.

Thus, following a defeat that must sting the Warriors, I will list four positives to keep in mind.

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In Stepped Jordan Poole

Poole, in his third year as a player, has consistently shown that he can provide a scoring boost for the Warriors. Three times already this season, he’s scored at least 30 points, and eight times he’s scored at least 20, which is an impressive stat line. Poole scored heavily while Curry struggled to find his shooting touch.

Poole got things rolling quickly and effectively, scoring 16 points (on 4-of-5 shooting from deep) in the opening period. Back spasm sufferer Andrew Wiggins nevertheless managed to score six points in the opening quarter for the Warriors. Curry only managed to score 3 points.

Poole scored 28 points on the night, but his performance was much more than that. His complete arsenal was on display in the middle of the third quarter, when he made a 3-pointer despite JaVale McGee guarding him, then blocked a shot and dished beautifully for a dunk by Gary Payton II.

Poole showed he isn’t afraid of the spotlight despite committing four turnovers and finishing with a plus-9 plus/minus.

Ottomatic Porter, Jr.

Otto Porter Jr. was there when Poole called for assistance. The veteran wing played 30 minutes off the bench and scored 16 points, good for second on the Warriors’ scoring list. Porter kept the Warriors going when their offence slowed in the second quarter by scoring nine of Golden State’s 19 points.

Afterwards, Porter went without a field goal in the third and finished the game with four points on 2-of-2 shooting.

In the Warriors’ last two games, Porter has scored his most points since signing with Golden State. He also added six rebounds and three assists against the Suns. Porter was primed to launch from long range and, once recovered, will be a major asset off the bench.

At Phoenix, his plus-10 was second only to Payton’s plus-17, demonstrating once again his superior play on both sides of the ball.

Counterattack Conflict

The Suns entered this highly anticipated duel believing they could use their size advantage against the Warriors, and for the most part, they were correct. With 24 points and 11 boards, Ayton had a season high performance. Jae Crowder scored 14 points and pulled down 6 rebounds in the power forward position, and Jae McGee added 8 points off the bench.

The Warriors, however, dominated the offensive glass, 51-35. They pulled down 36 defensive boards compared to the Suns’ 27, and 15 offensive boards to Phoenix’s 8. The Suns edged out the Warriors in the paint for only four points.

Turnovers made all the difference. The Warriors were unable to maintain possession of the ball and ended up turning it over 23 times to the Suns’ 13. The Suns’ victory over the Warriors was decided by just eight points, but they were able to pull ahead thanks to their 19 points gained via Warriors’ turnovers.

Simply said, that is not a recipe for success.

Cold Curry

The best shooter in the history of the game is currently performing at his or her worst levels. Literally.

While losing, Curry scored 12 points, matching his season low. Overall he shot.314 (3-14) from long range and.421 (11-21) from the field. In his NBA career, that is his worst shooting performance while attempting 20 shots or more. His stat line was a minus-17, and he contributed only two assists and three rebounds.