Golden State Warriors 5 keys to 2019 Western Conference Finals vs. Blazers

4. Win the battle of the boards

Portland survived its series against the Denver Nuggets despite being out-rebounded on a nightly basis. With Nurkic out for the playoffs, Enes Kanter nursing a rather significant shoulder injury and now even Rodney Hood getting banged up, the Blazers are dangerously low on fresh bodies to throw at the boards. They’re vulnerable.

The problem, however, is that the Warriors sans Cousins and Durant are also not a great rebounding team. The Rockets, despite only playing one traditional big man — Clint Capela — real minutes, ended up out-rebounding the Warriors in the conference semis, 251-238, including a 40-35 edge in Game 6 when Durant sat.

Without KD, the Warriors’ small-ball lineups don’t have the shooting they have had in years past, which means Steve Kerr shouldn’t rely on going small much. If Golden State is playing Draymond Green next to a traditional center like Kevon Looney, they will need to if not out-rebound, then at least match the Blazers on the boards.

If the Warriors allow the Blazers to keep possessions alive, then Portland will have all the more opportunity to slow things down and try to grind games out the way Houston did. Now, the Warriors still beat the Rockets, but Golden State can’t risk opening itself up again. Play with fire too many times and eventually it’ll burn you.