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Golden State Warriors: 5 Keys To Wrapping Up The Series

By Gerald Bourguet

May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates after making a three-point basket while being fouled during the fourth quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates after making a three-point basket while being fouled during the fourth quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Golden State Warriors
May 13, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) celebrates after making a three-point basket while being fouled during the fourth quarter in game five of the second round of the NBA Playoffs against the Memphis Grizzlies at Oracle Arena. The Warriors defeated the Grizzlies 98-78. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Keep The Three-Point Barrage Going

This isn’t rocket science; when the Warriors (the Splash Brothers in particular) are making their three-pointers, there is no team in the NBA that can stop them. You could say that about a lot of teams, but it’s especially true for the one attempting the most three-pointers per game in the playoffs so far.

The Dubs have made 37.5 percent of those threes, so it’s not like they’re taking a bunch of ill-advised shots — and even if they are, come on, that’s the EXACT kind of shot the Splash Brothers make on a nightly basis. Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

This is just what they do. For every other team in the league, those would be terrible heat check shots. For the Splash Brothers, those are just shots they regularly take and make.

Still, it’s worth noting that the Dubs went cold from three-point range in Games 2 and 3, and it was the biggest reason they lost those two games. In wins during this series, Golden State has made an absurd 45.1 percent of their three-point attempts. In the two losses, that number nearly chops itself in half to 23.1 percent.

Last night, Curry only had 18 points but the only six shots he made were three-pointers. Likewise, Thompson only had 21 points, but he drilled three of his four three-pointers. When that shot starts falling, it’s easy to demoralize a team like Memphis that has to grind for every basket it gets.

The Warriors’ defense is going to do its job, even if Big Spain and Z-Bo come to play and pound the Dubs in the paint. The Grizzlies don’t have the offensive firepower to try and run-and-gun with Golden State, and they haven’t reached triple digits once in this series. The only thing that can provide the Grizz with an opening is an icy cold shooting performance.

It’s Golden State’s job to put this series away with yet another three-point barrage.

Next: Stephen Curry: Top 10 Moments From His MVP Season

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