Suns Put Out The Lights On Warriors' Playoff Hopes
The year that wasn't to be. That's how the Warriors will look back on the '07-'08 basketball season that was filled with plenty of excitment and drama. Last night, the Dubs fading playoff hopes were put to rest with a 122-116 loss in Phoenix to the Suns. In one of the more bizarre games of the year, the Dubs trailed by 14 at the half. In the second half, Nelly benched an ineffective Baron Davis and watched Stephen Jackson score 16 3rd Quarter points as they rallied back to take an 11-point lead. Alas, the team could not hold on, and eventually fell in the closing minutes. The biggest difference came from the free throw line where the Suns outshot the Warriors 41-20. For an excellent foul-shooting team like Phoenix, that is just too insurmountable a difference to overcome. With the loss, the Denver Nuggets were able to claim the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, while the Warriors will make history for a second straight season, as the winningest club to ever miss the playoffs.
Despite the disappointing loss, the Dubs can look back on this season with lots of pride. After all, a basically flawed team was able to win at least 48 games, even after an 0-6 start. Along the way were big wins over Boston, San Antonio (twice), the Lakers, and more. Now, the team must refocus on getting stronger and preparing for another season that promises to be just as diffcult, if not moreso, in '08-'09.
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