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Kendra AndrewsESPN
SAN FRANCISCO — Golden State WarriorsThey almost made history with their 142-112 route to the finals Memphis GrizzliesIn Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.
The Warriors shot 63.1% on the field and had a 76.1 percent true shooting percentage, which was second in NBA postseason history.
In Game 5 of their 2020 series, the Clippers recorded a true shooting percentage of 77.8% against the Mavericks.
“When we trust and just hit the open guy, we have so much great shooting that it’s possible to have nights like this.” Klay Thompson said.
Going into Game 3, the Warriors insisted that they needed to find their offensive rhythm. This would be achieved by better shot selection. Thompson’s performance in the first two and third games was exceptional.
Steve Kerr, Warriors head coach said that Klay can get hotter if he is making great shots. “And when he’s hot our team takes a new look. It all comes together.
Thompson shot just 28.9% from floor, and just 5-of-22 at three, heading into Saturday night. In Game 3, he scored 21 points, shooting 8-of-13, including 4-of-6 at three.
Kerr stated that Kerr got “better shots.” “When you set a tone for good shots, the difficult ones tend to go in.”
Kerr spoke of “tough” runners. A one-legged runner ran from just outside the 3-point mark. Desmond BaneThe third quarter.
Thompson stated, “As long my shoulders are straight up to the rim of the pool, I can take a one footer or two-footer.” “It’s a good look. I’ve done this before.”
Kerr disagreed.[It]It was not a great shot. He was able to get into rhythm, and was able to make those shots.
Thompson was able to find his scoring rhythm while Steph Curry and the Warriors’ two other guards, Steph Curry, were able to keep Thompson on track. Jordan PooleThis series,, saw them continue their already strong play.
Curry scored a game high 30 points in 7-of-14 shooting while Poole was able to score 27 points from 11-of-17. They also had an impact on defense. The Grizzlies were held to 4-of-17 shooting by Poole, who was their primary defender.
Poole was under constant attack by the Grizzlies in Game 2. Saturday however saw Poole do the exact same thing to them, getting into the paint whenever he could.
“I thought it was amazing the way he attacked offensively but even more, it was amazing how he competed and defended on that side of ball,” Draymond Green said.
“When you put your best foot forward and try to play on that side of it. No. 1. Your teammates will rally behind you. But more importantly from an X- and O-perspective, you put up resistance, and guys can be there to help if you need it. We didn’t have to help him tonight.
Their offensive flow was aided by the Warriors’ defense. Golden State was notoriously high in turnovers early on. Green claimed that the Warriors were getting into the paint too often, trying to kick out the ball, and “dancing” too much. This led to them constantly having to defend Memphis in transition.
The game started with the Grizzlies torching beyond the 3-point line. The Warriors began to block Memphis scoring so they decided to go offensive.
Green explained that if you have your defense in place, it will allow you to come down with a level floor. Then you will be able to take advantage of transition opportunities. “They all go hand and hand. We’ve finally realized that we aren’t trying to drive too deep or pass the ball too much. It’s easy to get in a space and see the first guy open, then just move in.
The play from was the bow that ties the Warriors’ offensive revelation together. Andrew Wiggins Otto Porter Jr.
Porter finished the season with a plus33 net rating. This is easily his best playoff performance. While Porter has been a reliable player for Golden State on the boards, he has been an ineffective offensive player. Porter made three 3-pointers in Game 3, his third game in the series, after not making more than one 3-pointer since April 7. He finished with 13 points, four boards, three assists and three blocks, as well as a steal.
It’s not accidental. Kerr said that Kerr simply understands how to play. He is always in the right spot.
Wiggins finished with 17 points. He scored 15 in the second half, which was the highest number of points he has ever scored in a playoff matchup in his career.
Green stated, “That’s exactly what we’ve been asking Wiggs for all year… put your head down to get to the hole,” “It’s very difficult to stop him reaching for the basket.”
Green said, “It’s more than just dunks. Green said that his rebounding skills and physicality have been impressive, and that no matter whom he is matched up with, he has done an amazing job.
The Warriors view their Game 3 scoring spree as a blueprint for what they can do. After the series’ first two games, where the Warriors won by one point and lost by five respectively, they knew that the outcome of Game 3 could have been different if their offense had been a decimal more successful. Game 3 proved it.
Kerr stated, “It was an act that I recognized was in them.” “On tape we saw that if you were patient and calmer, you can get some good shots. Our players have learned to adapt… and I believe they produced better looks tonight.