Underreaction: Spurs vs Warriors

Last night the Spurs blew out the Warriors 129-100. The game was on the road, so Ohio State fans probably think the Spurs will win by 70 points when they face off again in San Antonio on March 11th. Yes, they don't play each other again for almost five months.

A strategy you'll see from a lot of NBA teams, is use their timeouts quickly against the Warriors and you'll see a lot of fouls on fast breaks to stop momentum. You see that a lot with European teams when facing the United States in international games. The faster, more potent athletes get limited if they're only playing in the halfcourt. 

LaMarcus Aldridge was solid with 26 points and 14 rebounds. Kawhi Leonard showed why he's considered a Top 5 player in the NBA with 35 points, five rebounds, five steals, and three assists. Jonathon Simmons took advantage of a big opportunity with Danny Green out for three weeks due to injury, scoring 20 points on 8-14 shooting (although he started 6-6, then shot 2 for his next 8).

The Warriors were 7-33 from the 3 point line. Kevin Durant had 27 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists. Steph Curry had 26 points, four assists, and three rebounds. Draymond Green had a complete game with 18 points, 12 rebounds, six assists, and five steals. Klay struggled a little with 11 points on 5 of 13 shooting, but shot better in the 2nd half going 4 for 6. No other player on the Warriors had more than five points, SIX different Warriors tied with two points.

A 29 point loss is a 29 point loss. Last night we saw fixable issues for the Warriors. The Spurs were +20 in 2nd chance points and +13 on the offensive boards. Spurs won almost every 50/50 loose ball, and if the Warriors want to play small ball, the bigger team can't be tougher and win the 50/50's. Defensive stops get your team going and in transition, that was rare last night with the Spurs constantly taking possessions away from the Warriors the entire game. Even still, the Warriors still cut 15-18 point defecits down to eight or nine points, and props to the Spurs for countering every time the Warriors clawed back in the game.

Warriors are a new team, dealing with new dynamics. The "death lineup" of Iggy, Steph, Klay, Green, and KD wasn't effective last night but that's one of the reasons why I like watching the NBA season. We'll get a chance to see how this team grows (or collapses) over the course of the next few months.