The Warriors defense is already in place

Last Friday, the Clippers surrendered 129 points to the Suns’ defense. They cannot doubt that a few days later they will score… 50 less. Still, that’s fate the Warriors’ defense held them up last night despite their famous offensive powerhouses (Kawhi Leonard, James Harden…) even if Bradley Beal was absent.

« It’s a 48-minute game with Hall of Famers like the Clippers. They will have their strong moments and I think we have really managed to limit these hot periods », sums up Steve Kerr in a euphemism second defensive period provided by his troop.

Because in the first act, the indicators looked quite green for the guests: a short lead in the score (46-49), and especially James Harden who started on a big basis (20 points). A complete change of atmosphere for the bearded man in the second act where he will only take (and miss) three shots. So, no more goals.

« We managed better not to make mistakes. James was sent to the line seven times in the first half, and none in the second half. And I think we trusted our defensive coverage and forced them to play against our defense or try to get around it instead of sending them to the line », analyzes Steve Kerr, whose team himself succumbed in the second quarter, with only 13 points.

Offense feeds defense

But in the next two quarters, the local defense was uncompromising and also fed off the serious offense that the team displayed. Fewer turnovers (13 in this match) meant less play in transition for the opponent, who scored only 9 points on the counter.

« The biggest thing we’ve been emphasizing is that our offense can help our defense, and I think that showed tonight. It’s not just about losing balls, it’s about playing collective and connected basketball. As soon as things get a little awkward, you need to make sure Jimmy Butler has the ball. He calms down the game, provokes a foul, gives us an open shot. Even so, Draymond Green continues to be one of the best defenders in the world », glisse Steve Kerr.

« Bright », the former defender of the year, according to his coach, controlled the match in the paint thanks to changes in the defense and constant assists. ” To hold this team to just 30 points in the second half is pretty impressive », the coach, whose group received 14 points only in the third quarter, and then 16 in the last quarter, can qualify.

« In the last two games, we felt like we had more clarity in our decisions and, like I said, more control over the pace of the game, not letting things get away from us in transition and making it difficult for the opponent to attack positionally. And we’re seeing how effective our defense can be when we’re not in transition ,” explains Steve Kerr, highlighting the Warriors’ hellish schedule going forward: five games in eight days.

He concludes: ” I couldn’t be more proud of the boys, not only for winning four of five games, but for quickly establishing what we want to be and how we want to operate. »