The Warriors came into the game riding a three-game losing streak. The Dubs playing on the back end of a back-to-back, the team rested veterans Klay Thompson, Draymond Green, and Otto Porter Jr., the injuries to Stephen Curry. The Dubs were matched up with the top team in the Eastern Conference, who had been dominant at home all season but still beat the East-leading Miami Heat 118-104.
Jordan Poole scored 30 points and had a career-best nine assists against the Heat, with Damion Lee, Jonathan Kuminga, and Andrew Wiggins chipping in 22 points for the Warriors, who also got 11 points from Gary Payton II and 16 rebounds from Kevon Looney.
“Just talking with the training staff and continuing the process of making sure our players who have been injured or who are recovering from injuries are getting the care they need and the rest they need and not subjecting them to risk,” Kerr said. “These decisions are based on process, not on the results of the previous night’s games.”