Warriors great, but not perfect
Celtics’ win may provide opponents with blueprint for beating the NBA champions in the playoffs
Not only can the Golden State Warriors lose this season, they can even lose at home.
Boston pulled off the surprise Friday, going into Oracle Arena and stunning the NBA champions 109-106. Even with the loss, Golden State —now 68-8— remains on pace to top the 72-10 mark set by the Chicago Bulls in the 1995-96 season for the best record in NBA history.
It was Golden State’s first loss in its last 55 home regular-season games.
There are some factors to take into account, of course. The Warriors are still without Andre Iguodala because of an ankle injury and lost centre Andrew Bogut in the second half Friday with a rib injury. And Friday’s game was Golden State’s 24th in of 42 days.
There are trends from the eight losses that might serve as a blueprint for those teams trying to beat the Warriors. Here’s a look:
CHECKING KLAY
In the Warriors’ losses, Stephen Curry (who has played in seven of them, sitting out the other with injury) has been his typical MVP-level self. He’s averaged 28 points, 5.7 assists and 5.6 rebounds in the games where he’s played and Golden State has been beaten.
Keeping the other “Splash Brother” in check has proved vital to opponents.
Klay Thompson’s numbers in Golden State’s eight losses have been, by his standards, plebeian. He’s shooting 39 per cent in losses, 23 per cent from 3-point range, averaging just 3.5 rebounds and two assists as well.
Thompson’s line in the loss to Boston: 6 for 16 from the floor, and only three points despite playing the entire fourth quarter.
DON’T LET THEM GET AWAY
When the Warriors get a double-digit lead, they win.
That’s automatic, at least this season. There have been 63 in which the Warriors led by 10 points or more. They’re 63-0 in those games, though some of them have certainly been highly eventful down the stretch.
On Friday, Boston’s biggest deficit was midway through the second quarter when it trailed by seven points.
That’s the largest one successfully overcome by a Golden State opponent all season.
The other critical thing Boston handled was not giving up a big run. Golden State’s top unanswered spurts were a pair of 6-0 runs, one at the start of each half.
OFF NIGHTS (ALMOST) REQUIRED
Boston did what almost no one has this season. The Celtics beat Golden State on a night when the Warriors weren’t having what could be described as an “off” shooting night.
The Warriors made 46 per cent of their shots. Going into the game, Golden State had been 56-1 this season when shooting that well.
When the Warriors are off, they’ve been doomed. Luckily for them, it doesn’t happen often. When shooting less than 41 per cent, Golden State is 2-6 this season.
Also, if the Warriors go up to 50-per-cent shooting, they win. They’ve won their last 66 games when making at least half their shots.
WIN THE HALF
Getting the halftime lead has been a prerequisite to beating the Warriors.
Boston was up only 45-43, but a lead is a lead. Golden State is 60-0 when leading at halftime. When the Warriors trail at the break, they are a mere 8-8.
SLOW IT DOWN
Last and possibly least, because it’s far easier said than done, would be this tip: Slow them down. Many have tried. Most have failed.
But when the Warriors don’t score 100 points — though this rule didn’t apply Friday — they’re 1-5 this season.