The Golden State Warriors started Sunday’s game vs. the Boston Celtics by sagging off All-Star forward Jaylen Brown. The strategy backfired, as Brown erupted for 19 points in the first quarter, kickstarting what ended up being a 44-point halftime lead for the Celtics.
When asked about this strategy after the game, Warriors star Steph Curry said via Anthony Slater of The Athletic, “A team that has that many threats, you try to find some weak spot to see if it’ll throw them off a little bit. Obviously, it didn’t work.” Steve Kerr also addressed the failed strategy, saying, “You try different things, you have to pick your matchups.
We wanted Draymond [Green] to be able to help on drives, and make sure that we weren’t giving up easy stuff in the paint. The killer was the transition from the beginning all the way to the end. They got 42 transition points. You’re not winning a game with that kind of defensive – or lack of defensive awareness.”
While Golden State’s problems in this game were deeper than their failed defensive strategy against Jaylen Brown, this certainly got him and the team going, and it led to a game that was over by halftime. The Warriors will now look to regroup and get back on track when they face the Milwaukee Bucks at home.
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