After two straight losses, Phoenix easily found their way back to victory over the Warriors. They took control of the match in the first quarter time and were never worried despite the 50 points of a far too lonely Stephen Curry.
A 10-0 Suns, led by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton, after a balanced start to the match, launched hostilities (21-14). With Andrew Wiggins taking two quick fouls and Jonathan Kuminga ill, the Warriors lack size and the Suns rule the offensive rebound. Dominated, Golden State then relies on Stephen Curry who, with 17 points in the first quarter, keeps them in ambush (36-33). As the double MVP continues its festival, the Dubs’ defense is still taking on water. Cam Payne and Mikal Bridges are 5 of 5 from 3-pointers, and the gap increases (68-57). The Suns, however, have no answer for Stephen Curry and the Warriors cling (72-65).
Back from the locker room, the Warriors have several opportunities to get back into the game but they miss their chance because of their clumsiness and their lost balls.
On the contrary, the Suns continue to roll out their basketball. They remain at 50% shooting success, deliver 9 assists out of 11 shots scored, and take a 14-point lead (103-89). Two award-winning shots from Donte DiVincenzo gave Steve Kerr a slim hope as he raised his starters, enough to allow Stephen Curry to reach the 50-point mark, but not enough to slow a Phoenix team down on a cloud!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Suns are having fun defending the Warriors. Despite the absences of Chris Paul and Cam Johnson, Phoenix easily scored 72 points in the first half, and 103 after three quarters, all on more than 52% shooting and 3-point success. The Suns took advantage of Golden State’s lack of rigor and intensity to dominate one-on-one, cause fouls early, and go to the free throw line, as evidenced by Devin Booker’s 7/7 first. quarter. They also dominated the offensive rebound, winning the battle for second chances 14-0 at the break. In control and rhythm, it is therefore logical that their long distance address followed.
– Stephen Curry, alone against all. 17 points in the first quarter, 31 at halftime, 40 after three quarters. 50 at the end of the game. The MVP of the last Finals continued his impressive start to the season, showing off against Mikal Bridges and the Suns defense, and it was for naught. Stephen Curry plays the best basketball of his career and the Warriors are still picking up. Blame it on a jagged “supporting cast”. After three good games, Jordan Poole came through. Andrew Wiggins, Golden State’s second-leading scorer this season, has been oddly low-key. Klay Thompson continues his Way of the Cross. And the bench continues to be problematic, scoring just 17 points before the start of garbage time.
– 0-8 away for Golden State… a first since 1989! Since the arrival of Steve Kerr at the head of the Warriors, they have always been one of the best teams in the league away in the regular season but also in the playoffs, where they won an away game in 27 series in a row, an NBA record. This season, the Warriors are among four teams in the league that have yet to win an away game this season (Orlando, Detroit and the Lakers are the other three teams). The Warriors are averaging 124.3 points per away game, the league’s worst mark.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Cam Payne – Mikal Bridges. Still starting in the absence of Chris Paul, Cam Payne was sparkling last night, scoring 29 points and distributing 7 assists. Mikal Bridges came close to the triple-double (23 points, 9 rebounds, 9 assists). Both players made 11/18 from 3-pointers.
✅ Devin Booker. The Suns star played fair all game, never hampered by Andrew Wiggins’ defense. He finished the game with 27 points and 9 assists.
✅ Stephen Curry. The double MVP planted 50 points at 17/28 on shots, while taking 9 rebounds, and giving 6 assists. Much too lonely, however, he continues his thunderous start to the season.
⛔ Klay Thompson–Jordan Poole. While the Suns couldn’t miss a thing, the Thompson-Poole duo was transparent. Klay Thompson finished at 6/17 for 19 points, while Jordan Poole scored 2 points at 0/5 on shots.
⛔ JaMychal Green. With James Wiseman in the G-League, Steve Kerr has confirmed his confidence in JaMychal Green as a substitute 5 position. To his advantage against the Spurs on Monday, the interior was completely out on both sides of the field this time (2 points, 1/7 shooting).
THE FOLLOWING
Golden State (6-9) : the Warriors will find the Knicks at home on the night of Friday to Saturday.
Phoenix (9-5): the Suns head to Utah to play the Jazz there on Friday.
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