The Warriors defeated the Celtics in Game 5 104-94. Here are some observation from the game:
The Warriors are giving the Celtics a lesson in how to stay in their offense. This may come from their championship pedigree. Boston seems to panic and revert to iso ball like they did in the first half of the season. The Warriors stay with their offense moving the ball until they get the open shot. The Celtics shot twenty for forty-three on twos while the Warriors were thirty-two for forty-eight. Boston is forcing shots in the teeth of the Warrior defense while the Warrior are getting the open shot through ball movement.
Though Curry has been outstanding in the series, the hero in Game 5 was Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins scored 26 points and 13 rebounds. His rebounding has helped the Warrior atone for their overall lack of size. Wiggins has also been outstanding on the defensive side of the ball. He is showing why he was the number one pick overall in the 2014 draft.
After Curry’s superb game 4 we wondered if he could do it two more times. Last night Curry had, for him a subpar game, however his teammates played well and covered for his subpar game.
As for the Celtics it was the same old story, turnovers. Boston had 18 turnovers leading to 22 points for the Warriors. One other stat favoring the Warriors was their scoring 50 points in the paint while Boston had 36.
Boston appeared to be out of gas in the fourth quarter. Jayson Tatum appeared be lagging behind his teammates a few times as the Celtics came up the floor. Tatum has averaged 41 minutes a game in 23 playoff games. Jaylen Brown has averaged 38 minutes a game in the playoffs. As a comparison Klay Thompson, the Warrior minutes leader, in 21 games averages 36 minutes. In the second half last night Tatum and Brown didn’t come off the floor until Boston conceded with less than two minutes left in the game.
Boston needs to get Tatum and Brown more rest. Udoka doesn’t trust his bench outside of Derrick White and Grant Williams. It may be time to try to get a few minutes out of someone else. Golden State has used Nemanja Bjelica and Andre Iguodala for a few minutes last night and it didn’t hurt the Warriors. Boston needs to get back to moving the ball like they did in the second half f the season.
For Golden State they now have all the momentum. They need to continue to move the ball offensively and continue to play their swarming defense.
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