3 key, series-changing advantages the Warriors have over the Mavericks

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - APRIL 03: Jordan Poole #3, Draymond Green #23 and Andrew Wiggins #22 of the Golden State Warriors high five after the Warriors scored a basket against the Sacramento Kings in the second half at Golden 1 Center on April 03, 2022 in Sacramento, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

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Draymond Green and his elite defense presence

The Golden State Warriors have something the Jazz or Suns didn’t, and that’s Draymond Green. Green is the best defender in the NBA, whether or not they want to give him the award or even make him a finalist for it.

For the first several months of the season, the Green-led Warriors’ defense was setting a historic standard on that end of the court.

Their sub-100 defense rating led the league for quite a while. It regressed when Green missed time from the middle of January to the middle of March, but back at full strength, the Warriors should be able to tame Doncic and company.

The Warriors, who took on the league’s MVP in the first round, have the playoffs’ sixth-best defensive rating which is better than the Jazz who sit 10th and Suns were are 11th. The Dubs’ defensive identity is something that should give them a boost.

They had the No. 1 defense rating prior to the All-Star break, and at full strength, they should be able to get to that level once again. Defense should be a point of strength for Golden State entering the Western Conference Finals.

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