The Golden State Warriors juggernaut is fueled by Stephen Curry. So it makes sense for the defense to focus on stopping the sweet-shooting point guard. But that didn't work the whole season as the Dubs achieved the 51-4 record, the best in the history of the NBA.
So on Tuesday night, the Houston Rockets tried something different: stick its best perimeter defender Trevor Ariza on Draymond Green, instead, and close out on Curry when necessary.
It worked for a time as Green wasn't a destructive force as he used to be and the Rockets were tied with the Warriors at the end of the third.
Then Harrison Barnes and Andre Igoudala exploded.
When the smoke cleared, the Golden State Warrriors extended their record to 51-4 and 42-0 at home, on a score of 123-110.
In fact, the defensive strategy might have backfired as the Warriors now know what to expect come playoff time.
"We get everybody's best shot and it makes us a better," Curry explained to ESPN.
"I think it'll test us and allow us to be even more comfortable when the playoffs do roll around because we pretty much have seen everything."
Coach Steve Kerr said that the strategy of the Rockets to slow down Green is quite logical.
"Teams are doing that more and more because he is such a good playmaker," he added. "It makes sense and it's a good strategy, but we have lots of playmakers and we feel comfortable no matter what people do."
Case in point, Andre Iguodala who had six assists, six rebounds and 12 points.
Then there's Barnes who scored 17 of his total 19 points in the second half, most of which came in the decisive fourth quarter when the Golden State Warriors' record was at risk.
"I think it's good for us," center Andrew Bogut said off the different defensive strategies. "There won't be any surprises once the playoffs turn around for us. We've seen everything at this point."
