{"id":14657,"date":"2018-04-26T11:40:40","date_gmt":"2018-04-26T15:40:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnba.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=14657"},"modified":"2018-04-26T11:42:37","modified_gmt":"2018-04-26T15:42:37","slug":"warriors-beat-san-antonio","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/basketball\/2018\/04\/26\/warriors-beat-san-antonio\/","title":{"rendered":"Post-Series Analysis: Golden State Warriors Beat San Antonio Spurs in Five Games"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Golden State Warriors<\/a> won a relatively easy five-game series<\/a> to open the playoffs against the San Antonio Spurs<\/a>, but this series was most notable because of the ones who were not at the games.<\/p>\n

Warriors star point guard Stephen Curry<\/a><\/strong> did not see the floor at all in the series, as he is still rehabbing a sprained MCL<\/a>. Spurs’ star swingman Kawhi Leonard<\/a><\/strong> was shut down for the season during the series due to a lingering (and mysterious) quadriceps injury<\/a>\u00a0after no playoff minutes and nine games total in a lost season.<\/p>\n

Both teams knew they would be without their respective stars for the series, so arguably the biggest loss came when Spurs coach Gregg Popovich<\/strong> announced the passing of his wife, Erin. Assistant coach Ettore Messina<\/strong> took over the last three games of the series while Popovich was away from the team.<\/p>\n

Before we move onto any actual analysis of the series, thoughts and condolences to the Popovich family.<\/p>\n

Golden State Warriors Beat San Antonio Spurs in Five Games<\/strong><\/h1>\n

First-Round Playoff Stats<\/strong><\/h2>\n

GSW starters<\/strong> – Andre Iguodala<\/a><\/strong> (7.6 points, 5.2 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 41.2 percent on threes), Klay Thompson<\/a><\/strong> (22.6 \/ 3.0 \/ 2.8 \/ 51.6 percent on threes), Kevin Durant<\/a><\/strong> (28.2 \/ 8.6 \/ 5.2 \/ 63.3 percent on twos), Draymond Green<\/a><\/strong> (11.4 \/ 11.2 \/ 8.0 \/ 1.4 steals \/ 1.0 blocks), JaVale McGee<\/a><\/strong> (8.4 \/ 5.2 \/ 0.8 \/ 64.3 percent on twos)<\/p>\n

SAS starters<\/strong> – Dejounte Murray<\/a><\/strong> (7.8 \/ 4.2 \/ 1.8 \/ 66.7 percent on threes), Patty Mills<\/a><\/strong> (13.4 \/ 2.0 \/ 2.6 \/ 37.1 percent on threes), Danny Green<\/a><\/strong> (4.2 \/ 2.2 \/ 0.2 \/ 25 percent on threes), Rudy Gay<\/a><\/strong> (12.2 \/ 5.6 \/ 2.2 \/ 46.8 percent on twos), LaMarcus Aldridge<\/a><\/strong> (23.6 \/ 9.2 \/ 2.4 \/ 46 percent overall)<\/p>\n

For the defending champion Warriors:<\/strong><\/h2>\n

No one (not even me<\/a>) thought that veteran Andre Iguodala would start every game at Curry’s point guard spot. After a pretty rough regular season, Iguodala showed that he was just saving his abilities for the playoffs. Teams are leaving him open behind the three-point line for a reason. If he can hover around 37 percent from three, watch out.<\/p>\n

To the other backcourt spot. KLAY THOMPSON WAS COOKING. Thompson, who has struggled throughout the year with Curry off the floor, torched San Antonio’s defenders. His hot hand needs to continue if the Dubs are without the best shooter of all time for much longer.<\/p>\n

Kevin Durant acted as a calming force for a team that, at times, looked kind of lost offensively. He scored at will from inside the arc, taking full advantage of guards getting switched onto him (RIP Patty Mills). Somehow, he only shot 25 percent from three for the series, many of which were open.<\/p>\n

Other notes:<\/p>\n