Back in full, the Warriors continued their momentum of their victories against the Knicks and Houston by delivering 36 assists on 48 baskets scored to finish the game with 50% success. The Clippers, who had to do without their two stars, sank at the end of the first half, conceding an 18-4.
We had left the “Splash Brothers” on fire in Houston, and they start this match on the same basis. 15 points from Klay Thompson and 7 from Stephen Curry give the Warriors an 8-point lead but two back-to-back shots from Marcus Morris and Norman Powell keep the Clippers in the game (32-29). With a second five “new look” with Draymond Green and Andrew Wiggins, Golden State begins the second quarter with a 12-3 (44-32).
The Clippers head out of the water by getting points on the free throw line thanks to John Wall but the Warriors end the half with a bang. Their defense limits their opponent to 4 points in 5 minutes while Stephen Curry and Draymond Green, author of 13 assists, become conductors of an offensive symphony that puts Los Angeles at -19 thanks to an 18-4 devastating (66-47)!
Revanchists, like Terance Mann’s 10 points, the Clippers take advantage of the Warriors’ relaxation to force two time-outs from Steve Kerr (76-65). Two winning shots in a row from Andrew Wiggins seem to revive Golden State but Marcus Morris capitalizes on opposing errors to score seven points in a row and bring LA back under the ten point mark (87-78). However, this is the moment chosen by Stephen Curry to send long-distance banderillas that put the Clippers back to square one (98-82).
A 10-0 lead by Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole from the opening of the last quarter time definitely puts the Clippers out of harm’s way. It’s the Warriors’ eighth home win this season in nine games.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Has Steve Kerr found his second five? To start the last quarter in Houston, Steve Kerr had decided to insert Draymond Green with his replacements. The bet had been successful as the interior had been able to set up the second five while waiting for the return of Stephen Curry. Facing the Clippers, the technician did it again with Draymond Green but also Andrew Wiggins to come and support Jordan Poole, Donte DiVincenzo, and Anthony Lamb. That five worked like a charm, allowing Golden State to widen the gap a bit before Stephen Curry landed the knockout blow late in the half. At the break, the Warriors were +4 in minutes with Curry on the bench, a notorious turnaround compared to the start of the season. The only downside is limited playing time for Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody.
– The duo Reggie Jackson – John Wall in the hard. In the absence of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers’ game rested on their two point guards and they continue to lack consistency and accuracy. That night, they accumulated 8 “turnovers”, or 60% of their team’s ball losses.
– Andrew Wiggins, the metronome. If Stephen Curry makes a spectacular start to the season, Andrew Wiggins is the most consistent Warrior behind him. The All-Star capitalized on his success last season to do even better this year. He’s shooting 19 points per game, with 42% 3-point success on 7 attempts per game, two career highs. It was his skill that kept the Clippers at bay in the third quarter, before closing the lid early in the final period. Andrew Wiggins is also slowly but surely gaining power on the other side of the field to allow the Warriors to find their rhythm.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Andrew Wiggins. “Maple Jordan” recorded his season high with 31 points 12/18 on shots, including 6/10 from 3-pointers! He confirms his good passage of the moment for Golden State.
✅ Stephen Curry – Draymond Green. The two captains were magnificent in their altruism this night, finishing with 9 and 12 assists. Stephen Curry also added 22 points and 6 rebounds to his stat line, while Draymond Green instead scored 9 points and grabbed 7 rebounds.
✅ Terance Mann. In the absence of Paul George and Kawhi Leonard, he took responsibility, finishing with 17 points. He tried in vain to wake up his teammates in the third quarter.
⛔ Jordan Poole. The sixth of the Warriors continues his way of the cross. He finished the game at 3/15 on shots.
THE FOLLOWING
Golden State (9-10) : the Warriors continue at home against the Jazz, on the night of Friday to Saturday
LA Clippers (11-8): the Clippers receive Denver on the night of Friday to Saturday
