Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 1 victory vs. Rockets
2. Golden State’s advantage in the paint
The Warriors opened their second round series without a traditional center in the starting lineup. Steve Kerr went small by inserting Andre Iguodala into the starting five and slid Draymond Green down to the center spot. Against a Rockets team with one of the best young centers in Clint Capela, it was a decision that had the potential to backfire.
The lack of size down low was a non-issue for the Dubs. They out-rebounded Houston 38-26 and registered 42 points in the paint to the Rockets’ 30. Everyone on Golden State seemingly chipped in on the glass and did a phenomenal job of luring Capela out of his comfort zone, creating a free highway to the rim.
I know Clint Capela has been sick, but he said he wanted the Warriors, and he just seemed out of it today. GSt went small almost the whole game, but Capela couldn't catch and often was out of position on rebounds. There were times this season when he DOMINATED off lobs.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) April 28, 2019
Despite posting the second-highest Player Efficiency Rating on the team during the regular season, Capela was a -17 in 26 minutes of action. Normally a formidable rim-runner, he took only two shots, hitting one of them, along with six rebounds and zero blocked shots.
The advantage the Warriors possess with Draymond at the 5 is as clear as day. He’s not the best floor-spacer, but the dribble-handoffs he runs with the likes of Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry force a guy like Capela to guard him tight.
Usually, Golden State surrenders on the interior with the Hamptons 5, forfeiting the rebounding battle and allowing points in the paint. That was not the case in Game 1, and if that type of play can continue, there won’t be many weaknesses for the Rockets to exploit.