Wiggins, Warriors limit Luka for Game 1 win

SAN FRANCISCO — On an evening that each Golden State Warriors participant to play significant minutes scored in double figures, it was their protection that propelled them to a 112-87 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Recreation 1 of the Western Convention finals on Wednesday.

Heading into this collection, the Warriors had been preaching a team-defense mentality. Nobody was going to have the ability to tackle the duty of the Mavericks, and significantly Luka Doncic, alone.

Nonetheless, somebody needed to take the brunt of that load. And it was Andrew Wiggins who was tasked with being the first defender on Doncic.

The final word objective was by no means to cease Doncic — that is almost unattainable — however to gradual him, ensuring all the things he acquired was earned and never given. Wiggins got here as shut as one may.

All 5 of Doncic’s contested photographs — he had one breakaway dunk for his sixth area objective — got here in opposition to Wiggins, however Wiggins held Dallas’ star to 5-of-11 capturing. Wiggins additionally compelled Doncic into three turnovers.

“He was transferring them puppies tonight,” Klay Thompson mentioned.

“That is why he was the No. 1 decide. You’ll be able to’t educate that athleticism. You’ll be able to’t educate that size. You’ll be able to’t educate his timing. I am simply comfortable the world is attending to see who he actually is, and that is an unimaginable wing participant, and he can be like this for the following 10 years.”

Doncic completed with 20 factors on 6-of-18 capturing, together with 2-of-10 on contested photographs. It was the third-lowest profession scoring playoff recreation for Doncic and was simply the third trip of 24 postseason video games he failed to attain greater than 20 factors.

“They had been doing a terrific job on me, particularly within the second half,” Doncic mentioned. “However I believe I’ve acquired to be higher. That is on me. As a pacesetter, I’ve acquired to be higher for the entire group, in order that’s on me.”

Dallas coach Jason Kidd mentioned: “They did a very good job, Wiggins choosing him up full court docket. They had been box-and-one, went zone. However they did job. Give them credit score. Wiggins did a very good job. We understood coming into the collection that we had been going to see that. We’ll return and have a look at the video and see what we will do higher.”

It was simply the Warriors’ earlier recreation — Recreation 6 in opposition to the Memphis Grizzlies — that Wiggins was asking affiliate head coach Mike Brown whether or not he may decide up Tyus Jones full court docket. And on Wednesday, as Kidd mentioned, Wiggins did it once more with Doncic.

Wiggins would decide him up full court docket at instances, sticking to his aspect, shadowing his motion all 94 toes up the court docket. Simply that — even when the defender is not jabbing for the ball or actively attempting to poke it away — may be sufficient to frustrate a participant.

“It is a tactic clearly by way of simply making guys work,” mentioned Stephen Curry, who scored a game-high 21 factors to steer seven Warriors in double digits. “It is only one other thing to consider. I would not say it bothers you however one thing you possibly can’t attempt to overcome. Wiggs goes to maintain doing it, nevertheless it’s only one other thing to consider and that is good playoff basketball.”

Does a full-court press — along with scoring 19 factors with 5 rebounds and three assists — ever tire Wiggins out?

“I really feel like I am nonetheless younger. I do not actually get too drained,” Wiggins mentioned. “I am locked in. I am motivated, and if you see it work or I really feel prefer it’s serving to us play higher, it simply motivates me to do it extra. I am not drained or nothing. , it is adrenaline. I simply really feel good.”

In accordance with Thompson’s evaluation, being with Golden State has allowed Wiggins to be the fullest model of himself as a participant. That is not a brand new thought — all season, Wiggins’ position has been the centerpiece of any dialog relating to his success. Not like his days in Minnesota, he does not must shoulder the load of scoring or facilitating.

His load comes on the opposite finish, and it is a load he does not thoughts carrying.

However the Warriors knew heading into this matchup, nobody particular person participant may tackle this project alone.

Doncic was double-teamed seven instances, with the Mavericks going 1-of-5 for 4 factors with a turnover on these performs.

“It was a wonderful defensive night time general,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr mentioned. “, we had the second-ranked protection within the league this 12 months. We take delight in our protection. Everyone form of leans on Draymond [Green]. Draymond units the tone for us. We had defensive night time. However we will not let our guard down.”

The Mavericks could not get something going as a staff from past the arc, regardless of being a robust 3-point capturing staff. Dallas shot 3-of-23 on contested 3-pointers and simply 8-of-25 on open ones.

“They unfold you out dramatically. They took 48 3s, and it is onerous to cowl all that floor,” Kerr mentioned. “So it requires a ton of effort, and for essentially the most half, that effort was there. We actually contested photographs properly and tried to problem all the things we may. So it was a matter of simply enjoying with a number of power and actually bringing the hassle.”

The Warriors are leaving Recreation 1 pleased with their efficiency, however they know that is simply a place to begin. A number of gamers famous this was only one recreation — and the primary recreation of a best-of-seven collection.

They know they cannot simply keep their efficiency stage, however should up it as Dallas makes changes.

“We count on them to come back again with a a lot better effort on Friday,” Thompson mentioned. “It is only one recreation. We are able to really feel good now however this staff was down 2-0 and gained the collection final spherical.”

As for the Mavericks, there’s nothing Doncic hasn’t seen, they are saying. So, they know there’s nowhere to go however up.

“He is simply good,” Spencer Dinwiddie mentioned. “I believe he is seen each protection. … If you happen to’ve seen it earlier than, you’ve got in all probability developed counters for it. So now it is nearly persevering with to enhance recreation by recreation, and he is the most effective within the enterprise at doing it.”