Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 5 vs. Pelicans

1. Bouts of sloppiness must disappear, now

On a whole, the Warriors took care of the ball against New Orleans. Their 13.2 turnovers per game were not bad given the series’ ferocious pace (107.9, the next-highest in Round 2 being Houston-Utah at 99.6).

This held true in Game 5, as they only coughed it up 12 times. However, the timing and nature of those turnovers was problematic. Five of them came in the second quarter, and three came on consecutive possessions before halftime.

First, Green attempted a home run pass to Klay Thompson, even though New Orleans was back. Rajon Rondo read it all the way, leading to a Mirotic 3 in transition. The next time down, Rondo slapped the ball as Curry tried to throw a lazy one-hander to Durant. Rondo finished in transition himself this time. A moving screen from Green on the next possession led to Rondo setting up Davis on the other end, and what was a 50-44 lead became a 51-50 deficit.

The Warriors could afford lapses like this against the Pelicans. The talent disparity was such that a simple switch-flip in the third quarter put the game away. Being at home helps, too.

This won’t fly against Houston. That 7-0 run the Warriors gifted New Orleans could be a 9-0 run for the Rockets. Even if it wasn’t, letting a team like that get into the open court and get easy looks un-dams a stream that cannot be so easily blocked back up. And even if that does not happen, seven points is enough to be the difference between winning and losing.

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The Warriors will turn the ball over. It is part of their DNA, and it is part of basketball. Avoiding bouts of carelessness, however, will be paramount to making a fourth straight Finals appearance.