What we learned as Hield’s historic start spurs Warriors win against Jazz originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area
The Warriors are taking the NBA by storm.
Well, at least the teams working in Portland and Utah.
Golden State pulled off its second road blowout in a row Friday night with a 127-86 shutout of the Jazz at the Delta Center in downtown Salt Lake City.
The Warriors in their two season-opening victories have outscored their opponents 267-190. Their 77-point margin is the largest in NBA history through any team’s first two games.
Buddy Hield led the team in scoring for the second straight game, finishing with 27 points. Stephen Curry had 20, Brandin Podziemski 15 and Trayce Jackson-Davis added 12. Andrew Wiggins scored just eight points but grabbed a game- and career-high 13 rebounds.
Here are three takeaways from a game that was never in doubt after the first quarter:
Buddy Bombs
Hield was a Warrior for eight games, including six in the preseason. He is shooting an incredible 31-of-55 (53.4 percent) from beyond the arc. Unbelievable. And there’s no sign that he’s getting cold.
Coming off the bench for the second consecutive game, Hield immediately lit up the Jazz, pouring in 24 points in 14 first-half minutes on 9-of-11 shooting, including 6-of-7 from deep.
Hield’s 27 points came on 10-14 shooting from the field, including 7-of-9 from distance. Through two games, he has 49 points in 35 minutes and is shooting 18-of-26 overall and 12-of-16 beyond the arc.
Unsustainable, right?
After the opening night win in Portland, Hield said he hasn’t felt so free within an offense since leaving the University of Oklahoma eight years ago. He shot 45.7 percent from deep as a senior.
That kind of accuracy is unlikely in today’s NBA, but anything close to that will have Golden State’s front office dancing in the streets.
Bench ignites again
For the second straight game, Golden State’s starting lineup fell behind early, trailing by eight inside the first three minutes. It took a few more minutes to find anything remotely resembling a rhythm.
It also took a punt from the bench set that came in hot, playing fast, making shots and even some catching on defense.
Gary Payton II, Kevon Looney and Podziemski and Hield were the primary players who closed the first quarter with a 21-5 run during the final five minutes. That was enough to change the temperature in the building.
Two nights after the Warriors’ bench group held off that of the Trail Blazers in Portland 71-37, they managed an 80-49 advantage over Jazz reserves. In addition to Hield and Podziemski reaching double-digit scoring off the bench was Moses Moody with 12.
Coach Steve Kerr’s concept of playing his entire active roster was once again a rousing success. Just as 14 players participated on opening night, 14 were used that night.
Tray of Perfection
Trayce Jackson-Daviswho started 16 games as a rookie last season, started the first two this season and, well, things are going extremely well for the Warriors.
Even better for Jackson-Davis, though.
After scoring 14 points and shooting 5-of-5 from the field in the opener, he bounced back tonight with 12 points on 6-of-6 shooting. His 11 consecutive shots — mostly off lobs and within three feet of the rim — provide a much-needed inside scoring presence.
Although Golden State’s starting lineup snoozed early in each of the first two games, and continues to experience spacing issues, Jackson-Davis is doing exactly what he’s been asked to do.
Protect the rim, set solid screens and be efficient in the paint. Perfection is the epitome of efficiency.
