San Antonio Spurs: 3 takeaways from Game 1 vs. Warriors

JaVale McGee was also in tow, with 15 points, two blocks, and a steel in just 16 minutes of play. The Spurs did not have enough to counter the Warriors’ depth. We want to see your fan photos and videos!

San Antonio entered the postseason considering itself an underdog against the defending champion Warriors. The Spurs, as smart as they are coached and play, suffer from a talent deficient compared to almost every other Western Conference playoff roster.

“That was the most stifling defense that we’ve faced all year long”, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said.

Here’s what Popovich said about Gay after the game: “I thought he was great”. “We know. We’re gonna show that”. But they certainly weren’t in Game 1.

On Saturday, however, Durant assured the Warriors would get back to their winning ways.

“They had more grunt”. “We looked like deer in the headlights”. “I think that’s the beauty of our team: that all of us can go off and score 30 or get eight, nine assists or grab 11 rebounds”.

Clearly, Aldridge had plenty of success this season on a 47-win team that made the playoffs despite Kawhi Leonard missing basically the whole year. All they had to do was care. The Warriors mostly cited their defense. Green and Andre Iguodala, who started over Quinn Cook at point guard because of his experience and defensive credentials, set an example with their effort and attention to rotations.

Golden State was dominant in last years playoffs.

The Warriors won Game 1, 113-92, on Saturday. We know how good we are.

“Our minds were elsewhere at the end of the season and we were anxious about the playoffs instead of being anxious about today”, Durant told ESPN.

Game 1 performances aren’t supposed to matter much – NBA history has told us to read into them at your own peril – but against the behest of the basketball gods, I’d advocate that you remember Saturday’s.

However, that didn’t keep us from falling into the same trap, picking apart the Warriors’ flaws: You can’t just flip the switch! From losing 24 games this season, which is the most they’ve lost in the regular season since 2013, to having each of their big four players out at least once throughout the season.

The Warriors opened as 9.5-point favorites; the total is at 205, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. You can sign up for a free 7-day trial no matter what package you choose, and you can then watch the games live on your computer via the DirecTV Now website, or on your phone, tablet or streaming device via the DirecTV Now app.

Draymond Green had a near triple double in the opening game of the Warriors first round playoff series against the San Antonio Spurs. He had eight rebounds with his 12 points and 11 assists. Durant poured in 32 points on 10-of-19 shooting, and Thompson added 31 points on 12-of-20 shooting. That failed as well. Thompson also proved why he is one-half of the Splash Brothers, sinking 5/6 threes to end with 27 points. Boy did that fail. The Spurs got off to a cold start, scoring only 17 first quarter points, and they never were able to really get back into the game.

Those eyebrows aren’t up anymore.