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The Golden State Warriors must make three major adjustments if they hope to win Game 2 of the NBA Finals after going down 1-0 to the Toronto Raptors on Thursday.
The defending champions will have two long days to work out the kinks of their matchup against this Eastern Conference powerhouse after playing a “feel-out” series opener.
1. Stop the Raptors' transition offense
The Warriors were stomped to the beat of 24 fast break points after committing 16 turnovers, 10 of them coming in the first half.
That is how Pascal Siakam got off to a rousing NBA Finals debut, dropping a team-high 32 points on 14-of-17 shooting from the floor. Golden State was aware of Toronto being a fast-paced team, but they got their first live look at a galloping Siakam, who used his length and athleticism to finish around the basket.
This isn't the first time Siakam has enjoyed a shooting night of this capacity, but the 25-year-old made at one point 11 straight baskets, nine of them coming by means of the restricted area.
1️⃣1️⃣ STRAIGHT MAKES.
Pascal Siakam is an all-star. Bet that. (via @nba) pic.twitter.com/OzeyMFMJh1
— SLAM (@SLAMonline) May 31, 2019
Draymond Green took on the responsibility of stopping him next game, though he will have much more in his hands than dealing with Siakam in Game 2.
“Well, you know, I mean, really the only time I ever really played him was last year,” said Green during his post-game media availability. “I played him the second time we played this year, but I think I probably played 16 minutes or something like that. I was just coming back from injury.
“He’s become a guy. He put a lot of work in to get there and I respect that, but like I said, I got to take him out of the series and that’s on me.”
However, it will take a group effort to contain not only Siakam, but other athletic finishers at the rim, along with the leaking 3-point shooters like Danny Green and Fred VanVleet.
The kind of transition defense that killed the Warriors in Game 1. Just cruising back, overloading one side of the floor, leaving Draymond in impossible 2-on-1, leads to crucial mid-4th wiiiiide open Danny Green 3. pic.twitter.com/ossVLCXPjK
— Anthony Slater (@anthonyVslater) May 31, 2019
2. Escape the high trap
Following Stephen Curry's 11 first-quarter points, the Raptors shifted their defense to hone-in on Curry and limit his freedom around the perimeter. Curry toyed with the Raptors defense in the first quarter, getting six 3-point shot attempts off, four of them coming by very comfortable looks — three of them makes.
That narrative quickly changed from the time he re-entered the game midway through the second quarter, as Marc Gasol would come out and trap Curry high beyond the 3-point line right when he'd ready up for a pick-and-roll.
This was a recurring theme throughout the game, as the Raptors continued to hound Curry running around screens and made sure to bring Gasol as a wide body to keep Curry from getting a shot off or finding room to penetrate.
Curry only attempted three treys in the second half, making only one — a result of this change of strategy.
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While he did well to make his way to the free-throw line (14-14 free-throws) and get the occasional layup, the Raptors succeeded at keeping him from bombing away as he did in Game 1 against the Portland Trail Blazers, railing nine of his 15 3-point attempts.
https://twitter.com/Supreme_Gifs/status/1134302039226212352
By the time Gasol had fouled out, there was only 1:14 left in the game and the Raptors had a stout 10-point lead — job well done.
In order to combat this tactic, the Warriors must give Curry a quick and easy out, preferably a player with foot speed that can generate off the dribble.
The former play is a great example: Looney sets the screen is in no position to help — he's behind the play, and even as a cutter, he possesses no threat to shoot the ball nor to drive and finish.
If the Warriors can recognize Gasol defending before the play, having a player like Draymond Green or Andre Iguodala set the screen would give Curry a quick out instead of forcing a loopy overhead pass, which Gasol has effectively deflected so far.
3. Close out on open shooters
As much as the Warriors effectively limited Kawhi Leonard throughout the course of the game, turning him into a passer — they must do a better job of closing out on open shooters.
Golden State did a subpar job securing the perimeter, leaving the likes of Siakam and Gasol open for great looks.
Warriors gonna give Gasol all day to shoot a three pic.twitter.com/asWjnxUcBu
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) May 31, 2019
The Raptors punished them, hitting 13 of their 33 shots from distance (39.4%), and that could be something they will look to exploit in Game 2.
Fixing this is easier said than done, as it requires both length and spacial awareness to get the job done. If successful, the Warriors can give themselves a chance to steal Game 2 and put themselves in great position to win the NBA Finals, heading back home and awaiting the return of Kevin Durant, who will solve many of their deficiencies at both ends of the floor.
