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Golden State Warriors: A few observations from season opening win over OKC

By Kevin Saito

OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Stephen Curry #30 and the Golden State Warriors celebrate after receiving their 2017-2018 Championship rings prior to their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at ORACLE Arena on October 16, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 16: Stephen Curry #30 and the Golden State Warriors celebrate after receiving their 2017-2018 Championship rings prior to their game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at ORACLE Arena on October 16, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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Golden State Warriors
OAKLAND, CA – OCTOBER 16: The Golden State Warriors unveil their 2017-2018 Championship banner prior to their NBA game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at ORACLE Arena on October 16, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

The Golden State Warriors officially kicked off the 2018-19 season with a win – let’s take a look at a few observations from the opening night victory.

The Golden State Warriors night started off with them getting their fancy new rings, the unfurling of the new championship banner, and a whole new set of expectations for them to win their third championship in a row, and fourth in the last five years.

With the Oklahoma City first up in Golden State’s title defense, most thought that without Russell Westbrook on the court for the Thunder, the champs might have a little bit of an easier time with it.

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Yeah – not so much.

It was a back and forth affair that was in doubt until late.

Paul George, and Westbrook’s fill-in, Dennis Schroder kept the Thunder in it until the end. The Warriors did a solid job of defending George in the first half, but he erupted in the second, on his way to a 27-point, five assist night.

Schroder ran the point effectively, creating shots for his guys, and chipping in 21 points, six assists, and nine rebounds.

No other Thunder player, save Steven Adams and his 17 points, scored in double figures. And if you’re going to take out the reigning champs, you need more contributions from more people.

Even still, the Thunder did an admirable job of hanging tough in this game without their best player in Westbrook.

It was a performance that should give them a little boost, and should send a slight ripple of worry through the Dub Nation – at least, temporarily.

What the Warriors showed in their opening night win was some grit and some heart. On a night when they looked gassed, were sloppy with the ball, when Klay Thompson couldn’t have hit water if he fell out of a boat, and seemingly everybody not named Stephen Curry struggled a bit, the Warriors still found a way to win it.

So, with game on in the books, and game two on the not too distant horizon, let’s take a look at a few observations from that opening night win over the Oklahoma City Thunder…

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