SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The Warriors averted near disaster Saturday in what was almost an epic second-half meltdown in their 100-94 win over the Spurs.
The Spurs closed out the third quarter on a 10-2 run to pull within seven points of the Warriors who led by as many as 17 points in the second half.
In the fourth quarter, the Spurs continued to claw from behind, coming within two points.
Jordan Poole made a pair of critical free throws in the final minute in what was otherwise an uncharacteristically down night for the third-year guard.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich successfully overturned a foul called on Tres Jones with about 20 seconds left in the fourth quarter as officials later determined that Poole slipped on his shooting sleeve.
Moments later, Poole made another two free throws before grabbing a rebound to secure the win.
After a scoreless first half, Poole, who’s been the Warriors’ most explosive and consistent scorer over the last five weeks, recorded 18 points, including 11 off free throws, in the second half. He was 3-for-19 from the field and 1-for-11 from 3-point range but still managed to finish plus-8 and dished out eight assists.
Jonathan Kuminga made a case for him to be in the playoff rotation. He had a big second quarter, coming off the bench, looking like a veteran on both ends of the court. The 19-year-old stripped the ball from Spurs forward Keita Bates-Diop and then lobbed it to Gary Payton II to get a layup in transition. Kuminga got another steal moments later off of a bad pass from center Zach Collins. He then drew a foul driving through the lane.
Kuminga was perfect in the second quarter as a shooter, going 4-for-4 overall (1-for-1 from 3-point range) and 4-for-4 from the charity strip. He finished with 13 points in almost 11 minutes in the first half.
Kuminga didn’t play in the third quarter, but the seventh overall pick of last year’s draft opened the fourth quarter with a corner 3.
The rookie finished with 18 points.
It’s also noteworthy that Draymond Green inked his fourth double-double of the season, finishing with 13 rebounds and 12 points. He also handed out eight assists.
The Warriors, who already earned home-court advantage for the first round of the series, are one win away from outright securing the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. If they lose Sunday’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans then their fate in the standings would be in the hands of the Dallas Mavericks, who also play Sunday and own the tiebreaker.
A Warriors’ loss and Mavericks’ win would mean Dallas would finish in third place and the Warriors in fourth. If both teams lose, the Warriors would lock in the third seed and the Mavs the fourth.
The Warriors will then have a week of practice at Chase Center before the playoffs begin April 17.
