HoopWatch

No one ever expected the Golden State Warriors to romp over the number one seed, 67-win team, Dallas Mavericks. But overachievement can only take you so far.

The Warriors were beaten at home by the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz, 101-115. Derek Fisher was instrumental in this one, pouring 14 of his 21 points in the decisive fourth, after the Warriors and the Jazz were trading baskets back and forth. Frankly, the Jazz will win in five games. Utah has been unbeaten at home in the play-offs and they will wrap it up in Game Five at Salt Lake City.

Don Nelson’s boys were badly outplayed in this one. Most of the Golden State players are first timers in the play-offs except for Baron Davis and Stephen Jackson. But both guys were shooting poorly in this one. Jackson went 5-of-15 from the field, and Davis was a miserable 6-of-16. The Warriors can’t expect a “W” if their leaders couldn’t bring their A-game.

Even so, the Warriors did not expect to go this far. And it has been a great season for the Bay Area ballers. They will be more formidable come next postseason as they have gained much experience.