Golden State Warriors 106 Utah Jazz 103 Game Recap: Curry hot like Vindaloo, burns Jazz in the end

The Utah Jazz (8-8) dropped a close game at the Aunt 'Viv to the undefeated Golden State Warriors 106-103. The Warriors are now a perfect 19-0 on the season and showed our young club what it takes to win tough games. Yes, Utah has had some nice wins this season already, but Golden State showed why they are undefeated. It's not just about having the balls bounce your way, or having the refs give you leeway, at the end of this game the best Warriors players produced. Stephen Curry was held in check for most of the game, but in the last 6:20 of the game he exploded for 10 points and 1 assist. Of course, his team NEEDED that from him in order to escape Utah with a win.

This was a challenging game for both teams. Raul Neto went 0/6 and Trey Burke went 2/6 (though he should have gotten to the line at least one more time), while Curry finished with 26 points. Draymond Green finished the game with 20 points, 9 rebounds, and 7 assists -- and just nearly missed out on three triple-doubles in a row. However, I don't think any objective observers are mentioning him over the amazing games Derrick Favors (23 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and a perfect 5-5 from the line in the fourth quarter) and Rudy Gobert (13 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal, 1 block, and huge intimidation in the fourth) had.

Both teams were missing starters, Harrison Barnes and Dante Exum, but made no excuses. The Warriors got huge boosts off the bench from Ian Clark (12 points, 4/5 from three in a revenge game), and Festus Ezeli (8 points, 8 rebounds). The Jazz, as usual, got a lot of scoring punch from combo guard Alec Burks (19 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, somehow only one FTA in this game, but he did hit two threes). Trevor Booker went back to his 'normal' and finished with 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals, and 1 block. He did not play his best game; however, you can argue that was the main point of this loss.

No one played their best. Utah's best players bobbled the ball into turn overs, and Golden State's best players chucked the ball out of bounds countless times. The two teams combined for 35 turn overs. Golden State did a great job getting offensive rebounds (14) while shooting .488 .483 .800. That's a hard team to beat, and you almost have to play perfectly in order to do so. The Jazz, imperfect right now, did not. And hence, this loss.

It's a great learning moment for the team, one head coach Quin Snyder isn't going to forget giving the team when they break down the film tomorrow. I know that it's probably going to be tonight for Gordon Hayward. He finished with 24 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and also hit two threes. He was exceptional tonight. Some guys were not.

When the Jazz were down by one with enough time on the clock to run one last play, and a chance to win the game, the ball got into Rodney Hood's hands, and the second year player missed an open three. It's a good shot, I don't mind him taking that during the course of the game (he had one from about the same spot earlier on and missed). As a last second shot I think you either go to Favors -- who was destroying the Dubs in the paint in the fourth -- or you go to Hayward who has been playing like an assassin of late. Heck, you can even roll the dice with Alec Burks who is a late game scorer. Hood missed, and the Jazz lost.

If the Jazz got it into Favors and he misses, the Jazz still lose. Or maybe he gets to the line. You don't know. Golden State went to their star at the end and he made the plays that mattered. The Jazz did not on that last second shot.

It's a tough loss, but it's the type of loss you want. A challenging one. One against the best team in the league. A loss that you could have won. A loss to learn from.

This team is going to be fine, and deadly, in a few years. It's a good time to be a Jazz fan -- especially after going .500 in a hell month according to the schedule. They have a few nights off and play again on Thursday, December 3rd at home against the Orlando Magic.

GO JAZZ GO!