Golden State Warriors: 5 takeaways from Game 3 vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
1. Warriors’ lack of clutch experience rears its not-so-ugly head
The 2015-16 Warriors may have been the most clutch team in NBA history. The 2016-17 Warriors were everything but. This year’s team finished with an expected win-loss record of 67-15, two games better than last year’s 65-17 mark. However, a lack of clutch success, and close games overall, led to six fewer actual wins.
There was some concern throughout the season that the team’s lack of experience in tight moments would hurt them in the playoffs. And though they succeeded in the clutch through three rounds, their chances were still limited, as was their competition.
The test finally came in Game 3. Down 113-107 with 3:09 to play, the Warriors would have to prove what type of high-pressure team they were to the world without knowing the answer themselves.
It turned out to be much ado about nothing. They played all-time level defense, moved the ball, went hard at mismatches and unleashed Durant in an 11-0 run to close it off.
Next: Golden State Warriors - 5 keys to winning the 2017 NBA Finals
After last year’s clutch campaign ended with a clutch failure of historic proportions, this year’s regular season performance in close games was rendered equally as meaningless.