Golden State Warriors: 5 Takeaways From Game 1 vs. Rockets

3. Leads Could Use A Little More Protecting

For a team that once had a 101-game win streak in games where they led by at least 15 points, the Warriors seem to give up quite a few large leads. They hardly ever completely surrender them, and perhaps that perception is just because we’re so used to the Dubs being completely dominant all the time.

It makes sense that lulls in the slaughter or anything contrary to their usual smooth sailing feels unnatural.

So of course it was a little worrisome when a massive 29-point lead shrunk down down to 15 points at one point in the third quarter. Houston didn’t have the firepower Saturday to make things interesting, the Warriors wound up battling back to ensure the easy victory, and, to be fair, Curry’s trips back to the locker room caused a hush to fall over the crowd and the team in the first place.

But against better teams like the Los Angeles Clippers/Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs and Cleveland Cavaliers, the Dubs won’t be able to get away with those dry spells where the reserve-dominant lineups let opponents creep back into the game.

Not only does it put the final result at risk, but even when Golden State wins, it forces Kerr’s hand to reinsert the starters and log extra, unnecessary minutes. It’s an entirely minor concern in a series against this mediocre Rockets squad, but it’s been a trend for the Warriors for awhile now. Fine-tuning things like that now could be a big help for the championship run.

Next: No. 2