We wondered what this Jazz-Warriors was going to be able to look like with the quantity of players absent on both sides. Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins rested on the Warriors side; Lauri Markkanen (ill) and Mike Conley Jr. (yet expected) on the Jazz side. In the end, it is hard to imagine Steve Kerr apologizing, this time, to local fans in view of the spectacle offered by the two formations.
A total fight which was only decided at the very last second and where each team knew how to respond to a big highlight from the other. The first response was that of the defending champions who, after a perfectly balanced first period (66-69), began to suffer serious aggression in the circle of Jordan Clarkson. This also showed the example behind the arc, from where the Jazz chained a 9-0 (85-78) in the heart of the third quarter.
Klay Thompson, who signed his best pass of the match (despite a big “air-ball” while he was alone…), showed some response but the Californians were still three possessions behind at the start of the last quarter. (100-91). It took a big, beefy Jonathan Kuminga in the next few minutes for the Warriors to hang on to the score.
With him, the return to the floor of Jordan Poole and a hint of unexpected address from Moses Moody at 3-point the Warriors went back in front two minutes from the end (117-119). Youth in power! After the expulsion of Jordan Clarkson (read below), the visitors still had a four-point lead (119-123) with 13 seconds remaining.
But a series of errors in the last moments and the battle waged to the end by the Jazz players finally tipped the scales in favor of the locals. Nickeil Alexander-Walker “stripped” Jordan Poole at the key moment, Malik Beasley took care of his recovery and Simone Fontecchio offered the victory to his team with a dunk at the almost buzzer.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– An electric end to the match! Jordan Clarkson had repeatedly taken over Jonathan Kuminga in penetration. On this action, 24 seconds from time, the Warriors winger decided to go more physical, on the verge of fault, to contain the back of the Jazz. After a counter, the first managed to recover the leather while the second clung to him. What cause an altercation between the two men who had to be separated. The referees sanctioned the American-Filipino for his gesture with a level 2 flagrant foul, synonymous with expulsion. The same officials, however, did not whistle (or see?) Jordan Poole’s nudge on Kelly Olynyk, who collapsed, in the seconds that followed…
– Warriors Fatal Mistakes. How to lose a match despite four points ahead with 13 seconds remaining? First is the free throw missed by Jonathan Kuminga after Clarkson was sent off. Then the stray ball from Klay Thompson, “stripped” by Olynyk on a two-man take, but the back of the Warriors redeemed himself by countering the 3-point shot from Simone Fontecchio in stride. Then Jordan Poole in turn missed a free throw. On possession of the Jazz 13 seconds from time, the Warriors thought they were “offering” the lay-up to Nickeil Alexander-Walker but the latter, at the last moment, found Malik Beasley alone at 3-points. The gap that “should” be reduced to two points has changed to one. Finally, we count this last ball lost by Poole after a physical intervention by the Jazz defense…
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Jonathan Kuminga. If Donte DiVincenzo was very active on both sides of the field, the winger was the most impressive of the California substitutes. Physically especially. We will remember his very big passage at the start of the fourth quarter when, after a whistled walk, he got angry by dunking with both hands in front of Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Before continuing with a tap dunk after a miss at the circle of Thompson.
✅ Jordan Clarkson. His expulsion could have cost his team dearly… Before that, the full-back behaved like a very good attacking leader. He certainly shot a lot, but was also a driving force behind creation, including after Collin Sexton (thigh) was injured. The fullback set and brought out plenty of good balls for his teammates.
✅ Walker Kessler. Among the galaxy of Jazz players to highlight, we choose the rookie pivot who signs his third double-double of the year. He showed a good understanding with Olynyk and gave a lot of trouble to the pair JaMychal Green (often exceeded) – Kevon Looney opposite. The inside also stood out with five blocks, including a big pancake on Poole in penetration.
✅ ⛔Jordan Poole. While Klay Thompson had another complicated shooting night, with the exception of his third quarter, Poole made a better impression, especially in the first period, which ended with 21 points. Much less present thereafter, he wanted to take things in hand in the “money time” but sometimes forcing. His waste in shooting and his six bullet losses, the last of which, fatal, spoil the overall picture.
⛔ Ty Jerome. First tenure of the year very sluggish for him. Clumsy and too often late in his decision-making with the ball in hand.
THE FOLLOWING
Jazz (15-12) : reception of Wolves, Friday.
Warriors (13-13) : reception of the Celtics, Saturday.
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