Golden State Warriors: Can the Dubs keep it up on defense?

Can the Golden State Warriors continue their defensive onslaught on the road against the Boston Celtics as they look to take a 2-1 series lead?

After losing Game 1 of the NBA Finals on their home floor, the Golden State Warriors knew they were basically in a must-win situation going into Game 2. They did not want to face a 0-2 deficit going back to Boston so they knew they had to come out of the gate aggressive on the defensive end.

The Warriors displayed lockdown defense making sure the Boston Celtics wouldn’t have an opportunity to make a comeback as they did in the 4th quarter of Game 1. The Warriors kept the same defensive intensity for the entire game as they frustrated the Celtics.

The Celtics’ starters struggled to find any rhythm at all on offense as the starters were held to just a combined 51 points. More notably, the Warriors held the hero of Game 1 Al Horford to just two points on 1-4 shooting after he exploded for 26 points in Game 1.

Marcus Smart was also held to just two points after scoring 18 in Game 1. Turnovers were also a major problem for the Celtics as they committed 18 of them as they were careless and sloppy with their offensive possessions. But this is how the Warriors have played as a unit all season as it wasn’t surprising to see them turn it up a notch en route to a victory.

Many opposing teams view Draymond Green as a bully and instigator and has even been accused of being a dirty player on several occasions. While he may be public enemy number one to the rest of the league, he means so much to the success of the Warriors. Green is truly the heart and soul of this team and has been since the Warriors drafted him with the 35th overall selection back in 2012.

Not bad for a second-round pick who is clearly a first-round talent. Mostly known for his defensive prowess, Green has a nice overall game that complements Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. Green is a lethal defender with quick feet, strength, and awareness as he played suffocating defense all game as he helped the Warriors even up the series. While Green sets the tone for the Warriors on the defensive end, some of his antics are questionable as he is always on the verge of receiving technical fouls but the Warriors are willing to accept the good with the bad.

He sometimes allows his emotions to get the best of him but Green has to realize that this is the Finals and not just a regular-season game. Flashback to the 2016 Finals when Green was suspended for a game after he was whistled for a flagrant foul against LeBron James.

Green’s absence was felt in that series as James led the Cavaliers back from a 3-1 deficit. His passion for the game of basketball is on another level and expect Green to bring that same energy during Game 3 in front of a hostile TD Garden crowd.

He will have to once again be a nuisance defending getting into the Celtics’ space and continue making them uncomfortable. The defensive stops the Warriors got led to their fast break opportunities and enabled them to push the pace which lead to easy layups and open shots. Thompson has had his struggles thus far in the series but he has made up for it on the defensive end.

Let’s not forget the Warriors also have Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney, and Andrew Wiggins as Curry has even been impressive guarding Jayson Tatum at times. Will the Dubs be able to maintain that same defensive intensity in Game 3? If there is a time for that championship experience to kick in, Game 3 would be the perfect time as they seek a 2-1 series lead on the road.