Milwaukee Bucks Game Preview: March 29 at Golden State Warriors
By Adam McGee
Major key for Golden State – Settle back into regular habits
With Kevin Durant and Draymond Green both expected to return to action on Thursday night, the Warriors should have a major boost in confidence along with the obvious injection of talent that duo provide.
Still, as injuries have afflicted all of Golden State’s stars in recent weeks, this won’t just be a case of slotting back in and resuming normal service.
Without Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Durant and Green can’t rely on the elite spacing that’s provided by the league’s best backcourt, and beyond that even just much of the synergy that group has built up as a starting unit.
Golden State clearly lead the league in three-point percentage for the season overall (39.2 percent), but over their last 10 games their 34.5 percent long-range shooting has seen them fall to the unfamiliar territory of 24th for that period. The Warriors’ volume has also dropped off.
In other words, while Durant and Green will have to shake off any lingering adverse effects from their absences, their less decorated teammates will also have to adjust their approach. Golden State’s shot profile has been understandably different recently, and the offense has stuttered to a 23rd ranked 103.8 points per 100 possessions over that same 10 game span.
As the Warriors look to get back to business as usual, the transition still may not be quite as seamless as they’d hope.