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Despite an impressive array of offensive firepower, the Golden State Warriors have managed an undefeated run through this postseason thanks to an unmatched defensive discipline that has sparked their transition game and the scoring of easy buckets.
Putting up their best rendition of it on Game 1 against the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers — holding them to a mere 34.9 percent from the floor for the duration of the game, the Warriors have consolidated themselves not only as a team with multiple options on offense, but one that can clamp down on defense when it counts the most.
Point guard Stephen Curry noted just how big an impact their defense has had into becoming a championship contender for the last three years.
“It was talked about, and it's well known — if you wanna win a championship, it doesn't have to be the best trait about you, but it needs to be top-five, top-ten, for you to have a chance of being competitive in a championship type of situation,' Curry told reporters on Tuesday. “You can't just try to outscore people all the time. It makes it a little bit tougher.”
The new era Warriors have been consistently in the top five teams in defensive rating — being first in the league in 2014-15, fourth last season, and second to the San Antonio Spurs during this regular season.
The defense has picked up another notch in the playoffs, leading all teams with a 98.8 team defensive rating — 7.3 points better than the Cavaliers, who ranked fourth in the playoffs and 22nd in the regular season.
Golden State will need to go back to their discipline at the defensive end for Game 3 of the NBA Finals, as playing on the road usually draws the best from the home role players who have needed to step up for two straight games.
