With less than eight minutes remaining in the fourth quarter and the Golden State Warriors holding a nine-point advantage from an 8-0 scoring stretch without Steph Curry, the New York Knicks (missing Jalen Brunson and facing Karl-Anthony Towns with Jimmy Butler defending) were preparing for a play to get Mikal Bridges a shot in the right corner.
During this possession, it’s important to note the roles of Draymond Green and Moses Moody in defending Josh Hart and Bridges, respectively. When Moody struggles to navigate a screen set by Towns, Green steps in to close the gap, allowing Moody to switch onto Hart. This teamwork quickly addresses the opening created by the Knicks:
When those initial options are shut down, the Knicks transition to a flare screen on the weak side for OG Anunoby while guarded by Gui Santos. Similar to Moody, Santos has difficulty getting over the screen from Towns, and Anunoby is poised to drive to the basket.
Fortunately, Green, who had moved to the free-throw line to guard Bridges, is ready to help. He shifts laterally to rotate over and reject Anunoby’s attempt to score:
This sequence exemplified the Warriors’ defensive performance against the Knicks. They made very few coverage mistakes, and their players displayed a strong sense of connection, allowing them to be exactly where they needed to be without overcommitting.
The Warriors’ solid backline defense has enabled them to pursue aggressive point-of-attack defense. Green can disrupt plays effectively, confident in the backup from his teammates. He can execute sudden hedges and traps knowing that Butler supports him, while Moody waits to rotate back towards Bridges after a pick-and-roll:
The Warriors excel at rim protection, allowing opponents only 24.7% of their shots to come from the rim — the lowest rate in the NBA this season (per Cleaning The Glass). While minimizing one of the most efficient shots is beneficial, it can lead to more three-point attempts, which can also be trouble.
Nevertheless, the Warriors have managed to limit their opponents’ three-point shooting attempts, ranking 13th in the league in opponent three-point attempt rate. Their strategy can still work effectively if it means significantly reducing close-range shot opportunities.
For instance, when several defenders converge to stifle an Anunoby drive, Green disrupts him with a timely “dig” at the “nail”, although Anunoby passes to Cam Payne, who is known to be struggling with his long-range shooting (27.6% over his last 10 games). The Warriors were willing to allow him that shot:
The Knicks were also hindered by their 27th ranking in three-point attempt rate, taking only 24 three-pointers against the Warriors and making just nine. The Warriors often dared them to shoot, particularly when their lineup lacked spacing threats. Additionally, the Warriors occasionally employed an effective 1-3-1 zone that disrupted the Knicks’ rhythm.
The Knicks also struggled with penetrating the initial defensive line. Steve Kerr’s strategy of using a smaller lineup featuring Green at center allowed for effective perimeter defense against Towns and quicker opponents.
Using a smaller lineup with Green as the anchor, complimented by Butler, Moody, and Santos, has enabled the Warriors to switch defensively more effectively. Notably, in one instance, Curry navigates screens to maintain his defense on Bridges while the others switch:
Despite Kerr’s inclination towards smaller lineups against the Towns-led Knicks (as opposed to their previous meeting focused on Brunson), Quinten Post made an impact despite being temporarily benched. His defensive fundamentals have noticeably improved, especially demonstrating better footwork and agility against opponents.
Even though Towns scored 29 points with a 66.3% True Shooting percentage, the Warriors kept the Knicks’ scoring to a mere 101.1 points per 100 possessions. Since Butler joined the team, the Warriors have achieved a 14-1 record and have emerged as the second-best defensive unit in the league, allowing only 108.2 points per 100 possessions, second to the Detroit Pistons.
Butler’s presence has revitalized the team on various fronts. Curry exhibits a more driven attitude that had been missing before the trade deadline. Green has also found a new vigor, and as a result, the Warriors’ defensive mechanics are functioning more effectively than they have since the season’s early days.
