“They have given us a hard time in recent years. They remind me a little of our team when I first got here. They have been together for a while and the continuity is obvious. We have the impression of a very united team. It's not for nothing that they have a record of 28 wins and 4 losses. » Steve Kerr must face the facts, there is today a gap between his Warriors and the Cavaliers, coached by Kenny Atkinson, his former assistant.
Tonight, the two teams each played their 32nd game of the regular season, and there is now a 12-win difference between Donovan Mitchell's teammates and the 2022 NBA champions. A gap visible on the field with Cleveland's stifling defense , the clumsiness of the Warriors, and finally the final difference: +18 for Cleveland, on the floor of the Chase Center.
Failed leaders
“I think at one point it was more disorganization, lack of execution, lack of clarity about what we're trying to do.”, Stephen Curry analyzes this setback. “And I think if it's confidence, if it's shots not going in, whatever it is, it affects our ability to maintain our level of competitiveness. Me included. We must be able to channel positive energy.”
This lack of execution translates into missed lay-ups, an ugly 24% from 3-point range and even 15 lost balls. Stephen Curry finished with only 11 points, and the Green-Schroder-Hield trio posted an ugly 6 out of 29 on shots… Symbol of this rout, this second quarter ended with 11 points at 4 out of 23 on shots, without the slightest 3 -points registered.
“We're in a bit of a bind right now. It's been a while since we've had a shot.”admits Steve Kerr. “We have the impression that it will change, but we have to try to find a way to develop rhythm with passes, movements, spaces, to generate better shots. »
The 26th attack of the NBA in December
What is worrying is that it is the executives who are thwarting. The Warriors' top three scorers are youngsters Moody, Kuminga and Jackson-Davis. In December, the Warriors offense was down with fewer than 106 points on 100 possessions. Which ranks them in 26th position in the entire NBA, 16 points behind the Cavaliers! Unfortunately, Stephen Curry is thoughtful about the solutions to find.
“I don’t know… The first thing you think about is stray bullets. And then each match is different… Is there a solution? I have no idea” he admits, before adding: “As the kids say, we’re honestly very average at the moment.”
