"It was a loss, the latest in a mixtape of late-game failures.

But Warriors coach Mark Jackson said he saw signs of crunchtime progress in the 119-116 heartbreaker Tuesday night against Oklahoma City.

"We played the best team in basketball, and we had them," Jackson said.

Yes, the Warriors committed six turnovers in the fourth quarter. And they blew a couple of important defensive assignments. But if Oklahoma City star Kevin Durant hadn't made his final shot -- or if Monta Ellis, with 48 points, hadn't missed his -- it's a completely different story to Jackson."