Warriors finding rhythm with new players
Takeaways from the Warriors’ win over the Pistons
With a big grin, Warriors guard Steph Curry ran to the sideline, leaped and highfived teammate Damion Lee. Such a celebration after a routine 3-pointer might have seemed excessive, but this one was the culmination of weeks of work.
The basket came in the third quarter of a 116-106 victory over the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday night.
Andrew Wiggins, anticipating that Curry would come curling along the arc, set a hard down-screen that freed Curry to receive the pass from Juan ToscanoAnderson and drill the wideopen shot.
These are the moments that indicate that Curry and his new-look supporting cast are beginning to jell and the Warriors (2-2) are better than they looked in their first two games. After losing to Brooklyn and Milwaukee by 65 points, they took care of business in Chicago (1-3) and Detroit (0-4).
Curry led the scoring with 31 points on 9-of-17 shooting (5-of-9 from 3-point range) and six assists and got help from the two newcomers
the Warriors are leaning on most heavily. Wiggins had 27 points, and Kelly Oubre Jr. — he made at 3-point shot after missing his first 17 — delivered 14 points, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks.
Here are some takeaways from the final game of the season- opening four-game trip before Friday’s home opener against the Trail Blazers.
WIGGINS TOOK OVER THE FOURTH QUARTER » The turning point of the game started with Curry on the bench and Wiggins leading the second-unit offense at the start of the fourth quarter. James Wiseman’s kick out after an offensive rebound led to a step-back 3-pointer by Wiggins to tie the game at 89 with 7:41 left. That began a 20- 4 run, capped off by Curry’s 3-pointer when he re-entered the game with 4:17 remaining.
In all, Wiggins scored 17 of his 27 points in the final period using a variety of dribble moves, drives and confident pull-up jumpers. After struggling to start the season, Wiggins has put together two impressive games and looks more comfortable since head coach Steve Kerr simplified the offense. DIGGING INTO THE DETAILS » Oubre set a drag screen for Curry, initiating the starting action of Kerr’s stripped- down offense. Curry passed to Oubre on the left wing, who gave it up to Toscano-Anderson at the top of the key. Meanwhile, after he gave the ball up, Curry ran along the baseline seeking to relocate. Wiggins saw Curry and sprung into action, setting a down screen on Pistons guard Killian Hayes that set up the easiest shot of Curry’s season.
That one was the most improvised, but Curry made three of his five 3-pointers after first giving up the ball.
“We obviously have some of our pet plays, but it’s a process,” Curry said. “We’re all trying to understand where the spacing is and where the flow of our shots are coming from. Especially when I give it up and guys are still being able to be threats off the dribble but know that there’s action on the weak side.