In the wake of Victor Wembanyama (32 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 interceptions, 3 blocks) who locks the racket, the Spurs take control of the match. Five lost balls from Golden State and an open-door defense allowed the duo Malaki Branham – Zach Collins (13 points, 8 rebounds) to put the Spurs at +13, with already 18 points in the paint (32-19).
The entries of Chris Paul, Brandin Podziemski (12 points, 7 rebounds), and Moses Moody (10 points) bring the Warriors out of their torpor. The trio passed a 16-4 to their opponents straddling the first and second quarters (36-35). The Spurs immediately responded with an 8-0, but Stephen Curry kept Golden State in ambush. However, it was the impact of Cedi Osman (18 points), boiling in the first half, which gave San Antonio an 8-point lead at the break (60-52).
The Green effect
Draymond Green changes the game after returning from the locker room. He scores 9 points and prevents “Wemby” from being served to launch a 17-2 during the first four minutes of the third quarter (69-62)! Curry joins the party and adds three award-winning shots to increase the gap to +11 (80-69). Devonte' Graham's address is needed to limit the damage (89-81).
Wemby then took responsibility by scoring his team's first eight points to start the last period (94-89). Sensing the danger, Steve Kerr immediately revives Stephen Curry and Draymond Green. The second increases the intensity on Victor Wembanyama while the second scores twelve points in a row to push the Spurs to thirteen units (109-96)!
The Frenchman, however, does not give up. He brings the Spurs to -2 with 59 seconds to play (113-111), but two offensive rebounds from Draymond Green lead to a 3-pointer from Klay Thompson and a foul to validate the Warriors' fourth victory in a row.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Two halves, two atmospheres for Golden State. For their fifth away match in eight days, the Warriors started the match with heavy legs and the Spurs took advantage. They took a 13-point lead behind a 28-point advantage at 16 in the paint, and two 10-0s on free throws and on the fast break. The Warriors defense raised the tone after returning from the locker room, changing the face of the match and winning the third quarter 37-21. They limited the Spurs to 42% shooting in the second half, while dominating the paint battle: 26 points to 18.
– Victor Wembanyama's monstrous last quarter. Powerless against the Warriors' bursts in the third quarter, the Frenchman took responsibility in the last period to give the Spurs a chance to win the match. He scored 18 of his 32 points in the final twelve minutes, showing once again that he wants the ball in decisive moments, especially with the absences of Devin Vassell, Keldon Johnson, and Jeremy Sochan. It took a major response from Stephen Curry and Draymond Green to prevent Wemby from going for the hold up.
– Draymond Green and Stephen Curry respond to Wemby. Discreet in the first half and authors of 6 of their team's 10 lost balls, Green and Curry raised the tone after returning from the locker room. Green had control of the third quarter on both ends of the court, while Curry was more aggressive. However, they had to redouble their efforts to respond to Wembanyama's determination. Upon his return to the floor, Green had several key defensive possessions on the Spurs star and sealed the victory with two decisive offensive rebounds. Curry scored 12 points in a row in the middle of the quarter to break the Spurs' momentum and give the Warriors some breathing space.
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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.
