Defense trigger for offensive-minded Warriors

SALT LAKE CITY — The Golden State Warriors offense — led by former MVPs Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant — has overwhelmed the Utah Jazz for a 3-0 lead in the second-round Western Conference playoff series.

Lost in the highlights has been a smothering defense allowing just 99.3 points per game — second best among teams still alive in the postseason.

With the exception of Gordon Hayward, and Rudy Gobert to a smaller degree, the Jazz has struggled offensively as open looks have been hard to come by in the series.

Jazz coach Quin Snyder said Golden State’s combination of length and quickness makes things difficult.

Golden State’s 97.4 defensive rating is a postseasonbest and more than four points better than any other team.

“That allows them the opportunity to do some things that are effective in their ability to switch,” Snyder said. “Draymond Green, the fact that he’s such a unique defender, he can guard five positions. He’s that good on everyone. So, he’s a linchpin there.”

Green, Durant, Klay Thompson, Andre Iguodala and Shaun Livingston are all versatile defenders and JaVale McGee brings a rim protector off the bench.

The Warriors were forced to rally from a nine-point deficit Saturday and Durant’s 38 points got most of the attention. But Golden State also forced the Jazz to shoot 32.4 percent in the second half, and Utah was just 5 for 17 in the fourth quarter.

Interim coach Mike Brown also credited the communication between players, led by Green, for their defensive prowess.

“We have multiple defenders that can guard multiple positions,” Durant said. “That makes up for a lot, so we can throw a couple bodies on their best player. We can switch some stuff and guard big, so that helps us out as well. The other thing is rebounding. Once we rebound the basketball, we push and we like our chances in transition.”

The Warriors look to close out the series Monday.