Golden State Warriors (6-1) 120 - 114 Brooklyn Nets (2-4)

First published October 29th 2018

The Warriors know Damian is limited defending in perimeter areas

. Usually they go out of their way not to switch when the other team gets a PnR. And they had Allen setting a screen and bringing Jones out maybe two times in every half court set, really just begging him to switch. This is Green and Klay, respectively, giving some help in plays where they look to expose Jones.

The Nets offense had lots of PnRs with their center and they seem to be the more comfortable with a switch they can attack or, should the opponent choose to edge or trap the ball-handler, they are good getting at getting the pass to the rolling big. If the defense fights through the screen, they are more likely to pass the ball around for another option or just bringing the screener back and give it another go. Anyway, they were getting pretty remarkable success with this to start the game. It also provides a nice contrast to a cut-heavy and off-ball screen base Warriors offense.

Brooklyn's second unit had a lot of a tougher time scoring. Not sure if it's Looney holding himself better defending guards in space, the trio D'Lo, LeVert and Allen simply being better at this scheme or both. RHJ was getting nothing when forcing something from the midrange. Andre instead of KD also really elevates the defense.

Alfonzo starting the second quarter is interesting. It's only the second time this season Kerr does that (i think). It seems that in the absence of Livingston, his spot will be a fight between Cook and McKinnie. And man, Alfonzo seems really solid. Considering his role and expectations, he's athletic, a pretty good rebounder, can hit an open three and really works out there without being mistake-prone. Can any Raptors fans explain to me if anything seems different from his time there?

The turnovers really started stacking up for the Nets. In the final 5 minutes of the half it two or three plays in a row.

Sometimes i like to watch a play back just to see how Draymond is reading the play. The third was pretty boring as Brooklyn never seemed to gather any sort of momentum and the game just played itself out for the most part. Even with the Warriors having a harder time converting jumpers in the quarter (except Alfonzo the great), the lead stayed around 15 points throughout.

The second half of the final quarter finally got some stakes back into the game when the Nets were seemingly making every three pointer under the sun. Russell in particular really got it going. There was a point where the Nest had a real opportunity to take the game and run with it but they never were able to make good from the Warriors many misses. Still a couple of nice plays from the same Allen/Levert/D'Lo trio from the earlier was able to bring the game back to 4, finishing a 13-2 run.

For all the grind the Nets showed in bringing the game back, closing still seems to be an issue. Here they waste almost the entire shot clock before settling on a tough shot (warriors switch everything nicely), Steph responds on the on the other end. When KD and Curry are on the other side during clutch time and they bust out that deadly PnR combo, every possession wasted comes to bite you. But still, the Nets should get all the respect coming their way for making this interesting final couple of minutes. I sympathize with this team and i really trust my "over" pick on the sub picks.

Other notes:

Embarrassment of riches. Curry gets a drive because the defender is expecting a jumper, and the two closest defenders can't help because they have Durant and Klay respectively. Fuck it, let Curry finish. There is also a case that the surprise back-door cut into the corner that Steph does while the defense is looking at the ball might be the deadliest play in the league right now.

Durant had a really good passing game, mostly in the first half. Dray has found himself as a distributor again after the first couple of games in the season.

It might just be the fact i haven't seen that many Nets games last year, but D'Lo seems to be playing smarter and forcing a lot less his own offense into the game. LeVert though... Crafty as fuck at getting to the rim.

Steph "18-19 MVP" Curry has now 7 games with 5+ threes made in a row to start the season. Becomes the second player to do it after Klay did it in, albeit in the Playoffs. However, Steph had 7 threes in the last game of the Finals last year, making him the first player ever to get 8 consecutive official games with 5 or more threes.

I actually really enjoyed the Nets commentary. #NetsOnYES

(Reddit)