Warriors: 0-1 (4-3 for the playoffs)
Jazz: 1-0 (5-3 for the playoffs)
Time: 6:00 PST
TV: TNT
Radio: KNBR 680
Okay! Here we go!
I think it's safe to say, despite our loss, Game 1 was a pretty good game. Keep in mind had we won, that "pretty good" would have been promoted to "unbelievably incredible", but adjectives aside, the game was entertaining. (Damn. That was another adjective. Sorry.)
Tonight the Warriors are looking to contain the Run n' Gun Jazz (did I just say that?), slowing their tempo down and hopefully stealing home court advantage for the rest of this series. That's a good thing. I've heard we're pretty good at home.
"We're waiting..."
Throughout the Warriors playoff run, the National Press has constantly reminded the public that the Warriors have an unorthodox style of play. Yet in the end, every single one of them goes on to remind the audience that,
Technically, this is true. This fast paced, three point shooting crew has been firing on all cylinders for quite some time and they are showing no signs of slowing down. But a championship team is not a championship team because they commit to one style of play. They are champs because they are able to subtly vary their style of play in a manner that hinders their opponent. Not to give Utah too much credit here, but I think we can all agree that what we saw in Game 1 was not traditionally how the Jazz plays. They varied up their strategy to run with us. And it worked.
What are the things that we can do for the rest of this series to stymie Utah? CLEAN THE DAMN GLASS!
I wanna be able to eat off that backboard!
In our run during the regular season, we only out-rebounded the Jazz in one game. Overall in the regular season they pulled 192 boards to our 161. I know. That's a stupid stat. But you get the point.
We cannot allow Utah to get the same level of second chance buckets that they got on us in Game 1. Yes we have an amazing fluidity in our current style, but tonight the Warriors are going to have to make a concentrated effort to gain position under the glass and be ready to clean up those missed shots.
It's not going to be easy. But then again, neither was getting here. Let's get this show on the road.
TAKE `EM TO THE GLASS DUBS!!!
Make sure to give us your predictions in the comments before tip off and post any comments you have during the game right here.
UPDATE: Warriors lose in OT 117-127.
Stay tuned for the recap...