The Golden State Warriors will more than likely travel to Memphis to take on the Grizzlies in their second-round series. While that’s yet to be determined with the No. 2 seed up 3-2, it seems unlikely they drop two straight. Subsequently, the Dubs would get Memphis.
Assuming it is the Grizzlies, this series-ending win is going to give them the confidence, energy and grit they need to continue fighting. Given the playstyle of Nikola Jokic, it’s extremely difficult to slow him down. Jokic ranked second in playoff scoring at 31 points per game.
The Golden State Warriors won 102-98 in a game they were drastically out-rebounded in. That’s impressive and will aid them in the coming weeks.
He put up another massive double-double on Wednesday, scoring 30 points. Jokic scored with ease in the paint and also pulled down 19 rebounds and dished out 8 assists, both team highs for the Nuggets.
The encouraging part is that, entering the playoffs, we knew that size was going to be an issue for Golden State. While this was a better matchup for them than the Mavericks or Jazz, it still oftentimes had them struggling to contain the league’s best big man.
The Warriors were -13 on the glass in their Game 5 win and allowed 14 offensive rebounds. The size of Denver hurt Golden State on more than one occasion. They don’t consistently play anyone over 6-foot-9.
Denver also shot 29 free throws, so its extra chances led to points. The Warriors did show that, despite losing the battle in the paint, they can still win games. They shot 13-for-31 from deep, a 42% clip.
Golden State’s strength is moving enough offensively to generate clean looks for its three three-point snipers, and the Dubs did just that. Playing their style of play has worked multiple times in the past, and even though a lack of size, the Warriors were able to come out on top.
That will bode well as they’ll be undersized against either opponent in the second round. They’ll draw a more difficult matchup in round 2, but it should be one that is actually easier for them considering size is the main weakness, and they overcame that in the first round.