Warriors Beat Bucks, Show Power of Dual-Star Studded Team

Sometimes, it’s good to have two leaders. The NBA is, and has always been, a star focused league. One great player can take a team from mediocre to good to great. Adding in a second can truly take a franchise over the top.

That’s exactly what’s going on with the Warriors. Golden State has risen from a team fighting for a play-in game spot all the way to the sixth seed.

Though they’re still on the edge, they’ve won eight of their last ten and only seem to be going up

(Photo by Noah Graham/NBAE via Getty Images)

Jimmy Butler is the sole reason for that rise. His presence, leadership ability, high basketball IQ, and quick scoring have all pushed Golden State to another level.

However, perhaps his most valuable contribution to the team is the ability to give Stephen Curry room to breathe.

The sharpshooter is one of the best players in league history, but he also greatly benefits from load management. The more he can rest during the season, the better the Warriors are down the stretch.

Butler’s ability to give him that rest was on full display against the Bucks on Tuesday night.

A Strong Performance

Going into a contest against one of the East’s best teams, the Warriors were without their tried-and-true sharpshooter. Curry sat out to take a rest day and let his body recover.

Normally, the Warriors would not have been able to lose their point guard against such a strong opponent and keep up in the playoff race.

However, they now have Jimmy Butler

Rather than folding, the Warriors rallied behind the superstar and fended off a late-game comeback to come out on top 104-93.

That win keeps Golden State one game ahead of the Timberwolves for the sixth seed and just three games behind Memphis.

The victory was important because all losses matter at this point in the season

The Warriors have been on a tear, but if they put too much on Curry down the stretch it could cause issues heading into the postseason.

Letting their main star rest is a huge luxury many other teams simply don’t have right now, and it’s one of their biggest advantages over the next month.

Unexpected Resiliency

As expected, the Bucks came into San Francisco with a plan. They attacked the rim, pushed hard on defense, and tried to outshoot the Curry-less Warriors.

Golden State responded by going up five at the end of the first quarter and fourteen at the half.

The Bucks battled back in the third, even briefly taking the lead, but strong team play down the stretch kept Milwaukee at bay and allowed the Warriors to end with the victory.

Everyone played well, but they did so behind Jimmy Butler

The athletic guard led a well-rounded team with 24 points, 10 assists, and 8 rebounds. That’s an impressive statline on any given night, but it’s especially relevant in a tough game where everyone was looking to him to get it done.

Butler is a great leader

He knows how to space the court and understands the best way to rally his team around him. The points were critical in such a tight contest, but getting everyone else involved mattered much more.

Four other players scored in double-digits, showing how all the players on the roster are coming into their own.

For Butler, that’s what matters.

“I’m glad that we won,” the guard said after the game. “That’s all I really care about. You pass the ball to guys who are open, I got to shoot a little bit more tonight, but as long as it all leads to a ‘W’ I’m good with whatever role I get to play.”

Finding Ways to Win

The Bucks game was a big moment for the Warriors because it showed how varied they can attack opposing teams. If Curry and Butler can both rest as needed moving into the playoffs, they’re going to be a true force in the postseason.

They have several ways to come out on top, including when Butler carries the load

If Curry needs more rest days, which is more than possible given how much he’s done over the past few months, Butler can step up and keep Golden State in the playoff race.

That is an X-factor that Butler brings to the team

Even if Curry isn’t out a whole game, the duo can cover for each other during contests.

It may seem like a small aspect of a much larger season, but that rest adds up. When everyone needs to play tough minutes in the playoffs, it’s often the teams who are the most healthy who last.

If looking for March Madness tournament schedules, matchup breakdowns, and expert picks, head to our March Madness section.