Warriors defense turns the screws in Game 2 win

After question marks emanated from their defense in game one, the Golden State Warriors responded emphatically on their way to a 107-88 win in game two of the NBA Finals. It was dubbed a must-win game for Golden State.

As expected, it wasn’t as if the defensive strategy was wildly different, more that the Warriors were much more active in carrying out the game plan they’ve utilised for much of the playoffs.

The Warriors produced a signature defensive display in game two of the NBA Finals, forcing the Celtics into 18 turnovers and less than 40% from the floor.

There was a clear emphasis from Steve Kerr for his team to be much more aggressive in all aspects of their defensive movement – whether that be trapping or helping on Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, rotating and getting in passing lanes, and perhaps most importantly, closing out on Boston’s perimeter threats.

The Celtics still shot over 40% from three (15-for-37), but there was a contrast in how they were manufactured. In game one, 38 of the Celtics 41 three-point attempts were catch-and-shoot, with the same number being considered ‘open’ or ‘wide-open’.

In game two, 24 of their 37 were catch-and-shoot, while 31 of the 37 were considered open or wide open.

The more impressive aspect was the Warriors ability to capitalize on Tatum, Brown and Smart’s still inconsistent capacity as playmakers. It’s something I highlighted as a crucial aspect prior to the series, and one that was evident in Golden State’s game two win.

"“The Celtics’ turnover problems don’t sit with being a high ball movement team, but their lack of a traditional primary ball-handler becomes painfully obvious at times”."

The aforementioned three combined for 11 of their team’s 18 turnovers. These weren’t just ordinary missed passes that sailed out of bounds, but live ball turnovers as the Warriors active hands produced 15 steals.

Golden State finished with 33 points off turnovers, with the Celtics recording 15. That 18-point differential was practically the difference in a 19-point final game margin.

The Warriors offense often gets the plaudits, but it’s really a product of what they assemble on the defensive end. There’s no secret that their struggles offensively in the fourth quarter of game one (16 points) was a direct correlation with their complete inability to get stops and get moving in transition.

The turnover aspect will remain a key component of this Finals series, particularly if the Warriors can retain the same sort of active hands and aggression that they produced in game two.