Golden State Warriors: 5 Areas To Improve In Second Round

April 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr (left) instructs forward Harrison Barnes (40) during the third quarter in game one of the first round of the NBA Playoffs against the New Orleans Pelicans at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

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Apr 25, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) reacts after scoring on a three point basket against the New Orleans Pelicans during the second half in game four of the first round of the NBA Playoffs at the Smoothie King Center. The Warriors defeated the Pelicans 109-98. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Making Free Throws

We’ll keep this short and sweet: the Warriors need to be better at the foul line than they’ve been through four games of the 2015 NBA Playoffs. Simple as that.

During the regular season, the Dubs shot 76.8 percent from the charity stripe, the ninth best mark in the league. So far in the playoffs, the Dubs are shooting just 69.8 percent from the foul line, the 12th best mark among all 16 playoff teams. That looks even worse when you consider the Dubs are attempting the fifth most free throws per game in the playoffs.

Warriors just can't shoot free throws in the playoffs.
Like ever.
— Blue Man Hoop (@BlueManHoop) April 21, 2015

It’s a small sample size, but it’s not like it was one bad game that dragged their average percentage down. In three of their four games, the Dubs shot less than 70 percent from the foul line. If anything, their 25-for-30 night in Game 3 made their overall free throw percentage look better than what it was.

The day will come when teams try hacking Iggy or Andrew Bogut. The day will come when the Splash Brothers have to knock down free throws in high-pressure situations. The Warriors need to make sure they’re prepared for that day, because it’s coming soon.

Next: No. 1

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