Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 4 victory vs. Clippers

LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 21: The Golden State Warriors celebrate during Game Four of Round One of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2019 at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2019 NBAE (Photo by Adam Pantozzi/NBAE via Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

2. Golden State wins the battle of the boards

During the regular season, the Warriors were one of the better rebounding teams in the league. They were third in defensive rebounds per game and ninth in boards on both sides of the ball as well.

As we all have come to experience, though, Golden State is at its best with Draymond Green at the center position, creating a certain level of vulnerability when it comes to the glass. Depending on their personnel, opponents will have the opportunity to impose their will inside with physical play, a brand the Clippers made their own this season by ranking 13th in rebounds per game.

In Game 4, the Dubs would face no such problems from the rough and tough L.A. squad. They won the rebounding battle by the final margin of 48-33, including an 11-4 advantage on the offensive glass.

Offensive rebounds are of obvious value by providing teams with extra possessions. Rebounding at the defensive end is maybe even more important, seeing as how it limits the opposition’s possessions while allowing one to control the tempo of the game.

Golden State thrives off the chaos of transition opportunities and the frenzied scrambles resulting from crashing the offensive glass. The Warriors certainly have proven capable of winning games while losing the rebounding battle, but their advantage in that department simply makes them that much more difficult to stop.

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