In a season where the Golden State Warriors have simultaneously been inconsistent enough set their franchise record for single-game 3-pointers but also suffer from multiple 30-point blowouts, it is truly difficult to determine just how good this team really is.
Due to the single-elimination format of the Play-In Tournament, an off-night for the Warriors could mean quite a lot. And still, they could just as easily torch their opponent in a shocking fashion. There’s really no telling what will happen — but I’d feel confident in betting the Warriors will be a tough out for anybody.
It really doesn’t matter who is matched up on the other side, taking out the Golden State Warriors will be a challenge for any team in the Play-In.
The Dubs have three likely opponents at this point. They’ll either face the Los Angeles Lakers, Memphis Grizzlies or San Antonio Spurs, barring any last-second changes in the standings (which is entirely possible). Of this group, the Lakers pose the largest threat, but even they could have a difficult time taming Stephen Curry and the Dubs.
Los Angeles has one of the best perimeter defenses in the league, holding opponents to the third-fewest 3-point attempts per game. This might be a result of them playing at a bottom-10 pace but it is also a testament to the consistent defensive effort of players like Alex Caruso, Wesley Matthews and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope.
Usually, Curry isn’t bothered by opposing defense. However, he has struggled in both games against the Lakers this season, shooting a combined 5-for-19 from the 3-point line across the two meetings.
Yet, that was earlier in the year. Curry is in a different type of rhythm lately, scoring 49 points in just three quarters against the Oklahoma City Thunder. I think it will be much more difficult to stop Curry now that he is comfortable with the team around him.
However, the Lakers will be different too. Assuming LeBron James and Anthony Davis are both healthy, the Dubs will have an uphill battle to fight. It is unclear if the Warriors will be able to do enough on defense to stop the likes of James, Davis, Andre Drummond and Montrezzl Harrell from demolishing them in the paint.
Even so, the 3-pointer is the great equalizer. The Lakers might defend the line well, but they don’t shoot it very efficiently. The Lakers rank 25th in 3-pointers made and 21st in 3-pointers per game this season.
The same goes for just about anybody the Warriors might face in the Play-In, they won’t outshoot Golden State if Curry and the rest of his teammates are in rhythm. For this reason, the Dubs pose a threat to win any game.