Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 1 statement vs. Blazers

Golden State Warriors: 3 takeaways from Game 1 statement win vs. Blazers

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - MAY 14: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors high fives Draymond Green #23 during the second half against the Portland Trail Blazers in game one of the NBA Western Conference Finals at ORACLE Arena on May 14, 2019 in Oakland, 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. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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

2. A stout defensive effort fuels the Warriors

Portland’s dynamic backcourt duo of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum have long been the team’s biggest source of strength. In these playoffs, the two have stepped their games up tremendously in leading the Blazers to the conference finals for the first time since 2000.

They averaged a combined 54.0 points per game over the first two rounds of these playoffs, taking turns making the lives of opposing defenses miserable. In Game 1, it was Golden State that turned the tide, limiting the talented guards to under 40 points combined on sub-40 percent shooting.

Lillard shot just 4-of-12 on his way to 19 points along with seven turnovers. CJ finished with 17 points on 7-of-19 shooting. The Warriors swarmed both players on every pick-and-roll with multiple defenders, forcing them into tough passes that got the ball out of their hands.

The Blazers as a whole failed to look like the team ranked sixth in points per game during the regular season. The 96 points registered were the third-lowest so far this postseason and nearly 19 below their season’s average. Portland also hit only 7-of-25 looks from downtown and shot 36.1 percent overall. That’s not the type of production capable of keeping up with a potent Golden State offense, even sans KD.

The Dubs’ defensive energy has ebbed and flowed throughout the course of this season, but when locked in, their versatility and toughness can lock up just about anybody. Against these Blazers, stifling the backcourt is the key to victory considering their lack of options elsewhere, a task the Warriors have proved to be up to the challenge for on numerous occasions.

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