Written by Joe Mags at Bloguin
The Warriors are the best team in the NBA on both ends, scoring 111.7 points per 100 possessions while placing the majority of their opponents in a chokehold. For much of the first half against the Clippers on Thursday, however, their in-state adversary got the better of the Warriors. Chris Paul, a game-time decision with a groin pull, was playing at peak performance — the future Hall of Famer hit his first seven shots of the game, and baited Steph Curry into a pair of bonehead fouls in the game’s first two minutes.
The Clippers were playing without J.J. Redick, but were producing league-high levels of offense (41 points, 17-for- 24 FGA, 83.3 eFG%) with Paul and Blake Griffin pulverizing the Warriors in the pick-and-roll. Griffin led Draymond Green into two quick fouls as well, and Golden State was down by as much as 50-27 in the second quarter with its rotation stymied by foul trouble. Paul abused Mo Speights on multiple switches in Green’s absence, his wide open jumpers doubling as maniacal laughter. The Warriors were forced to play much more conservative defense — instead of their artful switching scheme, Speights and Festus Ezeli played back, and the Clippers made it rain whenever Griffin wasn’t throwing his man through the spin cycle.
Green played 11 minutes in the first half. Outside of Curry, the best basketball player on the planet, there is no more important player to what the Warriors do on both ends. He’s the most versatile defender in the game, a deft playmaker and ideal screen man for Curry on offense. Draymond makes the best team in the league 3.6 points per 100 possessions better, per NBA.com:
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