Heading into Game 5, the Golden State Warriors and Sacramento Kings are tied 2-2 in the first round of the NBA Playoffs. Here are three takeaways from the Warriors-Kings matchup thus far.
Three Takeaways From The Warriors-Kings Series
De’Aaron Fox Needs Help on Offence
In the regular season, the Kings had the best offensive rating in the league and NBA history, scoring 118.6 points per 100 possessions. This efficiency hasn’t yet translated through their four playoff games, with their 110.8 rating ranking 10th out of 16. They’re also one of the worst three-point shooting teams, hitting just 30.3% of their shots. De’Aaron Fox, the NBA’s Clutch Player of the Year, has been the cornerstone of their offense, averaging 31.5 PPG. He’s excelled in transition and isolation, and his explosiveness at the rim has given the Warriors trouble. However, most of his teammates haven’t found their shot yet.
Fox’s co-star Domantas Sabonis hasn’t played up to his regular season standards (part of that may be blamed on his sternum contusion in the controversial Draymond Green incident). In Game 1, Golden State effectively limited him to just 12 points by forcing turnovers and their lockdown defense. Primary defender Kevon Looney stifled the big man and baited him into taking questionable shots. Sabonis has also repeatedly given up open mid-range shots and tried to score off contested shots in the paint.
Playing in his first playoff series, Keegan Murray has struggled the most. In the first three games, he totaled just 10 points. He’s especially struggled from beyond the arc, hitting only one three-pointer after breaking a record for the most threes made by a rookie in the regular season. His breakout finally came in Game 4, posting 23 points on an efficient 69.2%, but it wasn’t enough for a win.
Malik Monk is the team’s second-leading scorer, posting 17.7 PPG. In Games 1 and 2, he helped carry the offense but went cold in Game 3 with just 4 points. He found his rhythm with a solid outing in the next match, but it wasn’t enough, as the Kings lost by one. He’s led the charge offensively off the bench, and his ability to step up has been just enough for the Kings to survive.
Defense is Key
The Kings weren’t known for their defensive abilities in the regular season, but in the playoffs, they’ve shown solid improvements. In Game 2, Davion Mitchell’s hustle and physicality had a huge impact. He was Stephen Curry’s main defender, forcing him to miss 10-of-13 shots from deep. They’re holding the Warriors to just 12.8 points per game off turnovers, the least out of every playoff team. They also allow the second-least points in the paint per game with 43.5. It’s impossible to stop Curry, but limiting him on offense as much as possible can be a difference-maker.
Turnovers have been Golden State’s weakness throughout the year. They’ve done a better job of taking care of the ball in this series, but there have still been some reckless turnovers. The key for the Warriors will be figuring out how to contain Fox. Curry, Green, Looney, and Jordan Poole have repeatedly been exposed by the guard and his speed. They haven’t yet figured out how to contain him at the rim and defend his iso game on the perimeter. Although Looney has stood out defensively, limiting Sabonis significantly. Green’s physicality and Andrew Wiggins’ perimeter defense have also proven to be significant reasons for Sacramento’s shooting woes.
The Warriors Are Still Struggling On The Road
A major issue for Golden State this year has been their bizarre road struggles. In the regular season, they won just 26.8% (11-30) of their road games, the fourth-worst winning percentage in the league. This trend has continued in the playoffs, with the Warriors going 0-2 in Sacramento. The Kings are also 0-2 on the road in this series, but they have home-court advantage.
The atmosphere in Sacramento could be one reason for their continuing woes. The team ended a 16-year playoff drought, and the Golden 1 Center is a high-energy environment, which could pose issues for the defending champs if this series goes to Game 7.
