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OAKLAND – Even though the Warriors talked about creating better habits while getting closer to their schedule, they sometimes gave the fan base two good reasons to worry about what was ahead of them.
First, turnovers, especially those of the live-ball type and always those who are simply idiots.
And, secondly, defensive constancy, some of which can be blamed on the ease of transition baskets after their turnaround.
What the Warriors fans and perhaps coaches wanted Sunday, in the 47th and final regular season at Oracle Arena, was a victory accompanied by a sedative for their anxieties.
They have both, as well as the security that allows them to win the # 1 seed at the Western Conference.
Sunday, the Warriors have accumulated, in 16 minutes of play, a masterful basketball game to appease the minds of those who feared to put away, for example, the Houston Rockets.
Or, by the way, any other team in the NBA.
"We focused a little more on the details," said Kevin Durant.
"We have become very active," said Draymond Green. "We were flying around. Guys were going to paint. We had some guys stabbing at the balloon. For the most part, our home defense was excellent in the first period. We needed to focus more on shooting in 3 points. We sort of channeled everything on the edge, and they failed to score the match in its entirety. "
During, Green and others waved the "Do not worry" flag for two weeks, recognizing that they sometimes played at the level of their opponents or took risks that they would avoid against a legitimate competitor.
Although the Clippers are not legitimate championship candidates, they are probably a first – round opponent for the Warriors, who over time have played it that way.
In the last four minutes of the second quarter and 12 minutes of the third, the Warriors were ahead of LA 55-24. He was 42-18 in the third quarter.
The warriors accomplished this by sewing the two areas where they tend to be the most vulnerable.
The Warriors boosted defense over the 16 minutes, limiting the Clippers to 8 shots on 26 (30.8) percent while forcing nine turnovers to LA, leading to 12 Warriors.
And they also downplayed their own turnover by only committing two – none in the third quarter – which did not lead to LA scores.
That was the Warriors' response to their first 20 minutes of regular, when the Clippers, mainly behind 17 points (mostly on 5-of-6 shots) of rookie goaltender Landry Shamet, were able to forge a draw 49-49 . .
"The last three minutes of the first half have changed the game," said Clippers coach, Doc Rivers. "Then, in the third quarter, we could not take pictures."
The Warriors made a strategic change in the third, placing Durant, 6-foot-11, on Shamet, 6-5. Shamet disappeared, scoring a point on the last 28 minutes.
"We have liberated ourselves in this third; it was great, "said coach Steve Kerr. "The most important thing is that we did not return the ball, I do not think, once. Everyone was moving the ball and the defense was great. Kevin was pursuing Shamet around him; he had hurt us in the first period. And (Durant) did a good job. Our defense was really good overall after the first half. "
It was a championship level thing. The offense becomes wiser and more useful. The defense closes the holes, stifles exchanges and generates turnovers. Warriors do what they must to give themselves the best chance to participate in a "triple trick".
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Players never seemed too bothered and now coaches feel more confident. The same goes for the fan base.
When the playoffs arrive at Oracle Arena next weekend, they can all be reassured to know that the biggest threat to the Warriors is the Warriors, and they do not seem to mind allowing it.
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