LIMIT TURNOVERS
Ball movement and making the extra pass is a staple of the Warriors’ offense. At 30.4 assist per game, the Warriors are first in the league in dimes. They are one assist from catching the 1984-85 Los Angeles Lakers for most assists per game in a season.
When you are assisting at a high rate, obviously there will be a high rate of turnovers in the mix.
During the past five games, the Warriors have been making a number turnovers that your local bakery couldn’t even imagine. In the Utah game, the Warriors turned the ball over 19 times. Against OKC and Sacramento, 25 times.
In games where they commit 16 turnovers or less, the Warriors are 38-6. When they commit 17 turnovers or more, the Warriors are 5-7 on the year.
When you look at the Warriors, you will find that the turnovers are more often than not self-inflicted. They have a tendency to throw lazy crosscourt passes, force-feed lobs, and force-feed Zaza Pachulia in the post.
There’s not a lot of margin for error in this area in the playoffs. So it’s best for the ‘Dubs to begin showing some discipline and limit the turnovers to less than 16 per game.