Warriors show off improved defense in rout of Heat

During training camp, Warriors head coach Steve Kerr stressed a modest goal to his players: Golden State would finish among the NBA's top five in defensive efficiency for the fifth consecutive year. After a porous start to the season, Golden State is finally beginning to make that aim viable. In their 97-80 win Monday night over Miami at Oracle Arena, the Warriors held the Heat to 35.4 percent shooting from the field, including 8-for-26 from three-point range. Miami had little answer for Golden State's suffocating ability to switch off screens and committed 20 turnovers.