Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 3 vs. Spurs

For the third straight game, the Golden State Warriors beat the San Antonio Spurs by double digits, winning 110-97. Here is what we learned from Game 3.

The Golden State Warriors had to know the San Antonio Spurs would be energized. After two embarrassing losses in Oakland to open the series, the Spurs were coming home with not only their season, but their pride at risk. After learning the night before Game 3 of the passing of Gregg Popovich’s wife, Erin, they had something even bigger to play for: their coach.

That the Warriors won 110-97 is a credit to their experience and professionalism. Everyone in the NBA feels connected to Pop right now, and some — Steve Kerr, for example — are particularly close to the legendary coach. Kerr deserves a ton of credit for having his guys focused and prepared, as does Spurs assistant and acting head coach Ettore Messina.

In the end, this game ended up looking pretty similar to the first two. The Warriors outshot the Spurs from deep (10-for-32 to 7-for-33), hung with them on the glass (39 to 41 in rebounds) and had the best player on the floor in Kevin Durant (26 points, nine rebounds, six assists, 9-of-17 shooting).

The process, though, was significantly different. Let’s take a look at what we learned in Game 3.