1. Will this week long layoff hurt the Warriors in Game 1 against a team that just played 7 games?
Sam Esfandiari
A little early on. It’s only is natural. We saw them come out a little rust v. Portland before settling into the game. I doubt it’ll be a big factor but I would expect them to come out slower than if in rhythm.
Jordan Ramirez
It’ll take them a minute to find their rhythm again. Literally, possibly a minute into Game 1. With how sharp they were Game 4 vs. the Blazers, it won’t be long before they get to their game speed and find their stroke.
Andy Liu
For the first half of Game 1, yes. Fatigue for the Jazz that struggled against an injured Clippers team bodes well for GSW.
Sheed Malek
Nope, I expect them to be sharp from the jump. Extra week off gave everyone time to rest and heal up.
Alex Torres
This team is loaded with talent, but you still have to expect rust. The Jazz are coming off a tough series against the Clippers, but they looked really good on the road in Game 7. The Warriors should still win Game 1, but given the rust, the Jazz could get off to a good start and put some pressure on the Dubs early on in the game. If you’re into betting, taking the Jazz in the first half seems tempting for that reason.
2. Which player on the Jazz’s roster should the Warriors be most concerned about?
Sam Esfandiari
Boris Diaw. None of the Jazz player are that much of a match up issue for Golden State. The Jazz are an excellent all around team with many good to very good players but no one who poses a huge need for schematic changes to what GSW wants to do. I say Diaw is biggest threat because he may be able to lull them to sleep with post moves and vino.
Jordan Ramirez
Joe Ingles. You know what Hayward and Gobert are gonna do. It’s Ingles that could come in and either hit shots, bug a Warrior into a technical or just make the game ugly.
Andy Liu
Rudy Gobert’s rim protection.
Sheed Malek
Ingles, Gobert and Iso Joe.
Alex Torres
Rudy Gobert. The Warriors are the superior team, there is no question about it, but the Jazz do have some talented players that will give the Warriors problems. While Gordon Hayward comes to mind, the Warriors have plenty of perimeter defenders to throw at Hayward through out the course of the game. However, Gobert is matchup nightmare for the Warriors. He can protect the paint and allow his defenders to be aggressive on the perimeter. He averaged a double-double during the regular season and is arguably the best shot blocker in the league.
3. Who is the Warrior to watch in this series?
Sam Esfandiari
KD. He missed most of Portland series. Want to see him play all the games, without pain, and find a rhythm. Golden State didn’t sign him to be a role player, so it’s important he starts to get going.
Jordan Ramirez
Kevin Durant. He could’ve played all 4 games last series and his frustration was evident in Game 4 in Portland. Tack on another week and you have a fully rested KD and then some against a Jazz team that just played a 7 game series. This could be the Warriors’ ‘Oh shit, they really got KD’ playoff moment.
Andy Liu
Kevin Durant. He was not happy sitting out due to what he feels were minor injuries and likely wants to show why GSW wanted to sign him in the first place. Nobody can guard him on Utah and he doesn’t need to guard anyone on the other end.
Sheed Malek
Klay. Can he produce and limit his light skin bretheren Hayward?
Alex Torres
Has to be Kevin Durant. The Jazz are a bigger challenge than the Blazers, so it will good to see this team get tested. When they need a bucket or they find themselves down by a couple points. Is Durant fully healthy? That’s what we need to find out. The more confident Durant can get, the better. It only gets tougher from here, so having a healthy and confident Durant back in the mix is vital for this team to win another chip.
4. Will this series go Over/Under 5.5 games?
Sam Esfandiari
Under. I say 5. I think Utah will get at least 1 game and play a couple others close. I don’t think they have offensive fire power to extend the series much longer if Golden State is locked in defensively. GSW could play lethargic (they are prone to it) and give Utah additional chances, but I think they’ll lock in when needed.
Jordan Ramirez
Under 5.5. games. Now, if they played every game in Utah…
Andy Liu
GSW in 4.
Sheed Malek
Over.
Alex Torres
I say Under. I give the Jazz one win in the seven game series. The Warriors are too good and they understand the quicker they dispose of the Jazz, the more time they have to prepare for their next opponent, but also give everybody enough rest and time to recover. The Jazz are on the rise, but they are still a few years and key players away from challenging the Warriors.
5. Did the Warriors really prefer to play the Clippers?
Sam Esfandiari
Definitely. The “LA is more fun than Utah” stuff is true and probably in the back of most guys mind on some level, but really… I think this dudes love embarrassing the Clippers. I think they wanted opportunity to sweep LAC and rub it in everyones face. All the ex. player/studio hosts who have claimed GSW can’t guard Clippers inside or CP3 is better than Curry. The Warriors hear it all and love shoving back in peoples faces.
Jordan Ramirez
Everyone wanted to play the Clippers. Not because they’re the Meek Mill of the NBA, but Staples would’ve transformed into Oracle South. Either way, the series would’ve been short.
Andy Liu
Ya, for the close proximity and parties but both were going 4 anyway.
Sheed Malek
Hell yea. They wanted to drag the Clippers by 50 in each game.
Alex Torres
Of course, not only did they dismantle them during the regular season, but how can you compare Utah to Los Angeles? Anybody with a brain would have picked to play in Los Angeles over Utah. People from Utah can’t be mad when they even know it’s true.