Time and score gave the perception of an inconsequential possession that happened with under 11 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, in a contest where the Golden State Warriors were manhandling the Dallas Mavericks to the tune of a 27-point lead. Familiarity breeds contempt, however — and those familiar with this iteration of the Warriors know better than to sit back, relax, and rest on their laurels. Past history hasn’t afforded them that luxury.
It was why, despite the seemingly foregone conclusion at hand, Jimmy Butler and Draymond Green were still sent out to start the closing quarter.