Kerr unsure of reason for defensive struggles

SAN FRANCISCO — The Golden State Warriors in February were the NBA’s fifth-rated defensive team.

Through their first 10 games in March, however, there’s been some slippage and they’ve rated 23rd.

“It’s not always clear (why),” head coach Steve Kerr said Friday.

“There are some games where we just appear sharper.”

Through their first 10 games in March, the Warriors allowed 115.8 points per 100 possessions — rating one spot behind the Memphis Grizzlies, against whom they scored 137 in a blowout victory Wednesday at Chase Center.

Their offense hummed to the tune of 142.7 points per 100 possessions, but their defensive rating of 122.1 was equally notable against an offense rated 30th in the league (107.1) this season.

In February — when the Warriors surged into the postseason picture with an NBA-high 11 wins — their defense yielded 108.9 points per 100 possessions.

“There are games for sure where teams break us down, they get some momentum, then shots start going vs. not going in,” Kerr said. “But I haven’t been able to locate anything analytically that is dramatically different other than shots going in vs. not going in.”

An example Kerr provided: The Grizzlies at the beginning of the second half Wednesday engineered three consecutive open 3-pointers. Santi Aldama and John Konchar were uncontested in the left corner. Aldama on the third attempt had room to shoot from the top of the arc.

Miss, miss, miss — igniting an 8-0 run for Golden State via consecutive triples and a hook shot in the paint.

“Our defense wasn’t spectacular. They just missed,” Kerr said. “We have to maintain a higher level of intensity and energy and better discipline, all that. But then some nights, shots go in, too.”

It’s a make-or-miss league, so says the cliché.

Kerr also said the Warriors prioritize protecting the rim. Opponents in March entered Friday shooting within 6 feet from the basket on 33.2% of their possessions, eighth fewest in the league and on par with their overall mark this season: 32.9% for seventh fewest.

Conversely: Golden State concedes 3-pointers on 40.7% of its defensive possessions. Five teams allow 3-pointers more frequently. That number in March was up to 42.6% entering Friday.

Kerr knows the Warriors can’t take away everything.

But the 3-pointers that “bother” him come when Golden State doesn’t properly identify opposing personnel, conceding clean looks to quality shooters or closing out too aggressively to limited ones.

“We know we’re going be flying around and having to close out on shooters. It’s really important to know who you’re closing out to,” Kerr said. “But when we don’t recognize who we’re playing against, then that’s where we give up shots to the wrong people.”