OAKLAND, Calif. -- At the beginning, before losing hold of what became a 108-102 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Golden State Warriors had plans. They’d drawn up clever defensive schemes, one that included asking Draymond Green to “guard” Oklahoma City’s infrequently shooting Andre Roberson. Green, whose focused physicality evokes NFL defense, was in essence asked to play free safety. Initially, the Warriors appeared to be in control, forcing the Thunder into a rash of turnovers.
On the other side, the Warriors attempted to seize upon Oklahoma City’s lapses.