Takeaways from the Warriors’ win over the Jazz
Warriors snapped 4-game losing streak
Three takeaways from the Warriors’ 131-119 win over the Utah Jazz (28-10) Sunday afternoon at Chase Center. The Warriors (2019) get back to over .500 and snap their four-game losing streak:
Warriors brought energy
After getting blown out in their first game back from the All-Star break against the Clippers, the Warriors made it a point over the last two days to practice with energy so that they could come out Sunday ready to compete against a Utah Jazz (28-10) team that has the best record in the NBA. On Friday, the Warriors had a controlled scrimmage that head coach Steve Kerr said “set the tone” for the win.
“We wanted to be the aggressor the entire night,” Kerr said. “That’s how you win games and that’s how you have to dig out of a four-game losing streak.”
The renewed effort was apparent. The Warriors chased Utah’s buzzing offense that tops the league in 3-point shooting and held them 34.1% from beyond the arc. Andrew Wiggins called it one of the best defensive efforts of their season.
“When we are the aggressors, we are a dangerous team,” Wiggins said. “It starts on defense. We can score, our offense is smooth, but defense is where it matters. That’s the main thing.”
Offensively, Stephen Curry (32 points on 10-for-20 shooting, nine assists) and Wiggins (season-high 28 points on 12-for-16 shooting) paced a group that shot 56.2% overall, went 16-for-31 from beyond the arc and scored its most points since Feb. 6.
Wiseman, back in rotation, and the revamped 2nd unit
Because rookie center James Wiseman missed practice and did not play until the fourth quarter of Thursday’s loss against the Clippers, the Warriors had to wait until Sunday to see their new-look second unit.
The result? It looks like Wiseman, Jordan Poole and Nico Mannion may give that group, which starts the second and fourth quarters, the jolt it needs.
“The idea is that James is a scorer,” Kerr said. “He scores the ball pretty easily if he gets it in the right positions and Jordan and Nico are both capable of getting him the ball in those spots, so we think the three of them make a good group together. If Jordan or Nico are able to knock down shots and James is that threat on the pick-and-roll then we can develop an offensive identity with that group and that’s the idea.”
Though Golden State led 33-22 after the first quarter, the bench didn’t disappoint and had held onto an eight-point lead by the time Curry and Draymond Green checked back into the game midway through the second quarter. The ball moved well, Poole and Mannion leaned on the chemistry they developed in
the G League bubble and Wiseman played with confidence.
Wiseman, who entered Sunday averaging 2.1 screen assists per game, had five such screens that led to nine Warriors points against the Jazz. This is a sign that he is more comfortable in a more structured role.
Wiseman’s new rotation pattern appears to have him checking in to close the first and third quarters alongside the starters, then play with the bench group that opens the second and fourth quarters. This should result in something near the 23 minutes he played Sunday on a nightly basis.
Jordan Poole’s closing performance
Poole, who scored 10 of his 18 total points in his first 10 minutes, was a big factor in Golden State’s win. Not only did he pace the second unit in scoring, but he also helped close the game alongside the starters. His 3-pointer with 4:42 remaining kicked off a run that helped the Warriors take a double-digit lead and clinch the win.
In his three games since returning from the G League, Poole efficiently scored 26, 14 and 18 points, and has tallied eight assists to zero turnovers. Curry called him “a spark plug” and Green complimented his feel for the game.
“Coach Kerr has trusted me since I’ve been back, and he’s allowed me to be aggressive and just go out there and play my game,” Poole said. “I’m just trying to help the guys in the second unit and the rest of the team and find ways to win.”
He made long 3-pointers with a hand in his face, capitalized on opportunities in transition and hustled on defense. His first basket of the game was especially noteworthy: After drawing the switch on Jazz center Rudy Gobert, Poole tested the drive and, when he was cut off by the former Defensive Player of the Year, pulled the ball out and reset. He tossed the ball to Juan ToscanoAnderson and immediately called for it back. Toscano-Anderson returned it and Gobert closed out on the perimeter, giving Poole the advantage to attack off the dribble. This is impressive patience, feel and anticipation.
Going forward, Poole could periodically close games. Kerr has yet to settle on a closing five-man unit, leaving the fifth spot alongside Curry, Wiggins, Kelly Oubre Jr. and Green flexible depending on matchups. Some nights, it could be Eric Paschall, others Kevon Looney or Wiseman. When in need of a ball-handler and shooter, Kerr can go with Poole.