Games 1 & 2: GSW shot 59% against PJ Tucker. That was so uncharacteristic of PJ, who has been our defensive leader. I brought this up in another thread because it was an issue that needed to be fixed by him ASAP. In the 4 regular season games, GSW only shot 45% against PJ...which was a major factor in us going 3-1 versus them. So, there is plenty of proof that he is capable, he just was struggling in the first two games of this series. Well, PJ decided to fix this in Game 3. I knew he eventually would, but damn...he locked their a## up on another level. GSW shot 3-13 (23%) against PJ. That is unreal man-to-man defense. Can PJ keep this up for 4 more games? I'm my opinion, this is a key to the series that many are overlooking. These games have been close. We are 2-3 PJ Tucker stops away from being up 3-0. You can do it, Tuck!!!
Thiccums went to work in game 3 we should be up 2-1 right now...what the NBA did in game 1 is so shameful...they spotted GS a win, it’s a travesty
Very true. He averaged 40 minutes per game in the first two. Played less than 34 yesterday. It's probably not a coincidence.
keeping his minutes under 40 may be a part of it. Austin has been great this series and can definitely take a few extra minutes in tuckers place.
We need Tucker on Durant, because the only way to defend him is to body him up before he gets to his preferred spot. Once did he gets there, that’s a 60% shot. No one else can do this on this team besides Tucker.
It is very crucial for him to play around 36 minutes to be effective during the game, but also throughout this series, if it is to be 6 or 7 games. Tucker and Harden have played heavy minutes and carried a large load throughout the season with the injured roster. Harden can take that load given his age, but Tucker will be less effective during the game and series. The 4 fouls on Tucker and him sitting on the bench turned out to be a blessing with the win and the heavy minutes played by Worrier’s starting lineup. Hopefully, that gives us an edge in Game 4. Tucker has been our Ariza replacement, not sure who takes the load off of him...it’s been mostly Harden but he can’t be effective in expending energy to do the dirty work required of a role player. Rivers will help also in this. House needs to step up sooner than later. Shumpert was a nice surprise but I don’t think he can continue to hit shots or make good decisions.
We are better then them defensively when we want to be. Concentrate on playing lock down defense the whole game and that will also create lots of fast break opportunities.
I like us rotating on Durant defensively. When its KD vs. PJ all game, KD adjusts. When KD is stuck with PJ in the fourth for the first time after having been stuck with a mix of Harden, EG, etc., he struggles.
The bigger difference than PJ's D for me was his rebounding. In past games we miss those boards, letting GSW get second chances and getting no second chances of our own. We turned the ball over plenty last night but compensated with great rebounding.
