Warriors are back to dominating, Klay Thompson a key reason why
The Golden State Warriors have figured out this playing-without-Stephen Curry thing.
In the past three games, the Warriors have outscored their opponents by 72 points with Curry off the floor. They’re shooting 52 percent from the field and 45 percent from 3-point range.
They’re back to dominating.
Difference-maker: Klay Thompson
Thompson had a playoff career-high 37 points. He made seven more 3-pointers, giving him 21 in his past three games. That’s the most in a three-game postseason span since the 3-point line was implemented in 1979-80.
Thompson is averaging 27.0 points in seven games without Curry this season. In the past three games, Thompson is 21-of-36 on 3-pointers. In that same span, Warriors opponents are 21-of-90.
Thompson was able to get off shots without moving from his spot. Thompson attempted 16 catch-and-shoot field goals Sunday, making nine (including 7-of-13 from 3-point range).
Why is it important for the Trail Blazers to force Thompson to shoot jumpers off the dribble? Thompson has made 52 percent of his catch-and-shoot jumpers (51 percent from 3-point range) this postseason, and 21 percent of his jumpers off the dribble (20 percent on 3-pointers).
Thompson also excelled on the defensive end. The Trail Blazers shot 2-of-16 when Thompson was the primary defender, including 2-of-13 from Damian Lillard.
Backcourt and frontcourt defense had a great day
Thompson and his backcourt mates did a number on both Lillard and C.J. McCollum on Sunday. The Trail Blazers were 21-of-65 (32 percent) on shots taken or created, including 7-of-25 when they drove.
It wasn’t just the backcourt that limited the Trail Blazers; Draymond Green and Andrew Bogut carried their share of the load defensively as well. The Trail Blazers were 2-of-18 when Green or Bogut contested a shot.
All Green did on the offensive end was join Tom Gola as the only players in Warriors history to record multiple postseason triple-doubles.
