With Klay Thompson back in the starting five, the “Splash Brothers” quickly gave the Warriors an eight-point lead (13-5). Despite the absences of Jimmy Butler, Tyler Herro, Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love, and Josh Richardson, the Heat however took control of the match behind their defense.
Erik Spoelstra's troops alternate between zone and press zone to cut off Golden State's offensive rhythm. Sixteen points from the Bam Adebayo – Nikola Jovic duo give them the advantage after the first quarter (26-24). The back-and-forth continues in the second quarter with Haywood Highsmith (15 points) and Klay Thompson who are struggling but the Miami zone continues to slow down the tempo of the match to the advantage of Miami (55-53).
The famous 3rd quarter of the Warriors
Returning from the locker room, it was Golden State's defense that changed the game. With aggressive switching and preferential treatment reserved for Bam Adebayo (24 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists), the Warriors limit the Heat to 30% shooting success and can finally increase the pace of the match. The trio Andrew Wiggins (17 points, 7 rebounds) – Jonathan Kuminga (18 points, 10 rebounds) – Klay Thompson launches a 10-1 which puts the Warriors at +13 (83-70).
The Heat returned to -6 at the start of the fourth quarter but the awakening of Stephen Curry (17 points, 6 assists) gave the visitors a lead again. Five points from the double MVP and a laser assist allow Golden State to pass a 9-1 in Miami to take a 14-point lead (96-82). A few minutes later, it was Klay Thompson who delivered the blow by pushing the Dubs' lead to +20 (105-85).
While the two teams are stuck in the “play-in” zone, this victory for Golden State does Steve Kerr’s men a world of good since the Rockets are on their heels. The Heat, on the other hand, sees Orlando and Indiana outpacing it for 5th and 6th places in the East.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Miami’s press zone controls the first half. For several seasons now, the Heat have been the team that defends the most in zone in the NBA. This defense allowed them to reach the Finals last season and despite many absentees, it allows the Heat to mask the individual weaknesses of some of their second knives. Faced with the Warriors who want to play fast, the Heat's all-court press, which then transforms into the zone, slowed down the game and forced the Warriors to rush to half-court, once the first curtain had passed. The Heat even caused an eight-second violation to pass midfield and Highsmith's long segments hampered all ball recoveries.
– An eye for an eye, defense for defense. Steve Kerr and Stephen Curry often refer to the need to “connect the game,” that is, use your defense to orbit your offense and vice versa. That’s what happened in the third quarter for the Warriors. Their defense raised the tone by limiting Miami to 20 points at 30% success, including 12% at 3-points. The quartet Draymond Green – Jonathan Kuminga – Andrew Wiggins – Gary Payton II was impervious in this quarter and allowed the Warriors to regain rhythm and obtain easy baskets against a Miami defense that was not in place. The roles were therefore reversed compared to the first half, and unlike Golden State, the Heat did not manage to stay in contact. The 32-20 in this third quarter was the decisive segment of the match.
– Klay Thompson marks his return to the starting five. After two difficult weeks for Brandin Podziemski, Steve Kerr decided to give back his starting place to Klay Thompson. Boiling in his role as sixth man since mid-February, Thompson continued his momentum against the Heat defense. His 15 points at 6/8 in the first half were decisive in keeping the Warriors in touch while their game lacked fluidity. He confirmed in the third quarter to help his team pull away and delivered the blow with five points in a row in the last quarter which forced Erik Spoelstra to raise the white flag.
How to read the stats? Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; O = offensive rebound; D=defensive rebound; T = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; +/- = Point differential when the player is on the field; Pts = Points; Eval: player evaluation calculated from positive actions – negative actions.
