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How the Warriors won the Western Conference Finals

By Peter O'Keefe

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: The Golden State Warriors hold the Western Conference Champion trophy after the 120-110 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 26, 2022 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA - MAY 26: The Golden State Warriors hold the Western Conference Champion trophy after the 120-110 win against the Dallas Mavericks in Game Five of the 2022 NBA Playoffs Western Conference Finals at Chase Center on May 26, 2022 in San Francisco, 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 Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors are through to their sixth NBA Finals appearance in eight seasons, closing out the Dallas Mavericks with a 120-110 victory in game five at the energetic Chase Center.

Outside of game four, the Warriors were simply the more well-rounded, better team. The Mavericks were gallant in defeat, but Luka Doncic, Jason Kidd and their team couldn’t repeat the heroics from round two against the Phoenix Suns.

The Golden State Warriors have won their way through to another NBA Finals, led by the inaugural Western Conference Finals MVP in Stephen Curry. 

But what aspects generated the Warriors dominance throughout the series? Here are three areas that proved crucial to the series win.

1. Reduced Turnovers

Turnovers have long been the Achilles heel for the Golden State offense, with a clear emphasis being placed the longer this postseason goes.

The Warriors averaged 14.9 during the regular season and had 28 over the first two games of the series, yet finished it with an average of 11.2 after recording just 28 across the last three games.

More importantly, the Warriors assist-to-turnover ratio was incredibly impressive.  It sat at 1.82 during the regular season but lifted to 2.33 in this series, which for context, would have easily ranked first for any team during the regular season.

2. Greater Depth and Scoring Options

Doncic may have done all he could for Dallas, but Golden State were just a more complete offensive unit. The Mavericks three leading scorers (Doncic, Jalen Brunson and Spencer Dinwiddie) accounted for 62.5% of their team’s scoring across the series.

In contrast, the Warriors had a greater breath of scoring options. Their three leading scorers (Curry, Klay Thompson and Andrew Wiggins) combined for 53.5% of their team’s scoring.

3. Rebounding

Golden State averaged over 11 more rebounds than Dallas through the series, with Kevon Looney proving an ever valuable presence on the interior.

But not only did the Dubs produce their own timely offensive rebounds, but they committed to preventing second chance opportunities for the Mavericks. The Warriors had a defensive rebounding percentage of 83.5%, which again, would have led the league during the regular season.

dark. Next. Top 30 Golden State Warriors players in franchise history

Golden State will wait the winner of the Eastern Conference Finals, with the NBA Finals set to begin next Thursday the 2nd of June.

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