It might not have looked like the Miami Heat put up much of a challenge in Tuesday’s loss to the Golden State Warriors, but Stephen Curry noted after the game that playing Miami’s defense provides unique problems.
“It challenges you to see the game,” Curry said. “Whether it’s a zone possession (or) a man possession, it tests your patience because you don’t know when your looks are going to come.”
It's difficult to stop Warriors star Stephen Curry, who credited the Miami Heat for their defensive schemes after Tuesday's game.
Curry finished with 17 points on 7 of 15 shooting in Golden State’s 113-92 win, but he also had six assists. Some went to Klay Thompson, who finished with 28 points, and other teammates.
The Heat’s aim is to take away the opponent’s best scoring threat. In this case, that was Curry. As Curry outlined, it forced him to become more of a playmaker and adjust to how his team was being defended.
The Heat were shorthanded without Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love and Josh Richardson, but coach Erik Spoelstra trusts who is available to execute his schemes. They toggled between a full-court press, zone, sending two to the ball and man defense.
Between Curry, Thompson and Draymond Green, the Warriors managed to find enough openings to get the win. But, as Curry said, it’s not an easy thing to do.