Turnover-prone Warriors must figure it out offensively
It’s more than just making shots for the Golden State Warriors. While they may be able to get past the Memphis Grizzlies, their turnover-prone offense is going to continue to struggle against elite opponents.
The regular season was not kind to them against teams like Dallas, Phoenix and Boston, a few organizations that ended the season with elite defensive ratings.
The Golden State Warriors won Game 4 and took a 3-1 lead on the Memphis Grizzlies, but it wasn’t without multiple concerning flaws arising.
Those teams will make the Warriors pay for their lofty number of turnovers. It will be a problem that could doom their championship run this season. However, it’s also one that could easily be fixed with better decision-making.
Every key ball-handler for the Warriors had 2 or more turnovers. While the Warriors did have a much better second half which was characterized by a 39-point fourth-quarter which Golden State outscored the Grizzlies by 10.
They won the game 101-98, but it wasn’t without a reoccurring of their turnover-prone tendencies. The Warriors ended the game with 16 turnovers. Thankfully, Golden State wasn’t killed by those as Memphis had just 15 points off turnovers.
The Warriors have the second-highest turnover rate of teams still in the playoffs with the Sixers only worse. They’ve been saved by their elite shooting so far this postseason, ranking second in effective field goal percentage.
Golden State was one of the best teams in the league during the regular season, but its turnover issues consistently haunted its play. They ranked 21st in opponents’ points off turnovers and 29th in turnover rate.
The Warriors have had 15 or more turnovers in both playoff losses.
The Suns, a team that sits top five in both offensive and defensive efficiency and would have home-court advantages on Golden State, could face Golden State and turnovers may be the difference-maker.
While neither Phoenix or Golden State has yet to advance, the likelihood is they take on each other in the Western Conference Finals.
Golden State may have to face the other two top-three teams in defensive rating to potentially win the NBA Finals, and if their high-volume turnovers continue, there’s little chance they beat either in a seven-game series.
It’s something that must be cleaned up as they continue their playoff run.