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

By Daniel Lubofsky

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors watches play against the LA Clippers lying down on the court during Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 18: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors watches play against the LA Clippers lying down on the court during Game Two of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs at Staples Center on April 18, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. /
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(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

3. Andrew Bogut stuffs the stat sheet

In signing Andrew Bogut in early March, Golden State brought in added depth to a shaky center rotation. He had been playing overseas at the time of his arrival, but the Dubs knew of Bogut’s incredible abilities, witnessing them first-hand as the starting center of their 2015 championship squad.

In the regular season, the Aussie played sparingly, just 12.2 minutes a night spanned over 11 games, likely as a way to ease him back into NBA basketball. Yet come playoff time, his importance to this Warriors squad would be felt as a rim-protecting, screen-setting and offense initiating interior presence.

In Game 3, all this came together in the form of 14 rebounds to go along with eight points and five assists for the former No. 1 overall pick. Bogut created a number of extra possessions and was as intimidating a presence as ever near the rim. He needed no catching up of the Warriors schemes both offensively and defensively, making him the go-to play for head coach Steve Kerr.

https://twitter.com/NBA_AU/status/1119113466818621441

DeMarcus Cousins’ likely season-ending quad injury was a tough blow to the Dubs given how excited they were to unleash him in matchup-specific scenarios. Kevon Looney has flashed potential at times, but neither he nor sophomore Jordan Bell provides much consistency at either end.

Enter Andrew Bogut, who was a hand-in-glove fit for Golden State in his first run with the team and should only look better setting screens for Kevin Durant.

Kerr will have to keep an eye on his stamina through their playoff run, but if Bogut can remain healthy, his return could go along way in the Warriors quest for another title.

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