In a physical start to the match with referees letting the game play, it was the Warriors who took control of the game. They limit the Pelicans to 2/13 on shots, and the trio Andrew Wiggins (18 points) – Trayce Jackson-Davis – Stephen Curry gives them an 11-point lead (17-6). Zion Williamson (26 points, 6 interceptions) wakes up his team but Golden State remains solid (26-17).
After their 27% in the first quarter, the Pelicans found some rhythm. Their defense stops the movement of Golden State and the duo CJ McCollum (28 points, 8/13 at 3-points) – Herb Jones complete an 11-0 which gives the advantage to New Orleans (38-35).
Stephen Curry tries to redeem himself from his lost balls
Stephen Curry (33 points, 7/13 at 3-points, 7 lost balls) and the Warriors continued losing balls while the Pelicans made a 10/13 at 3-points in the period, thanks to a McCollum – Murphy duo ( 24 points, 6/9 at 3-points) hot, to throw a chill in the Chase Center and return to the locker room with a 14-point lead (62-48)!
Humiliated, the Warriors return to the field with fangs. Seven points from Andrew Wiggins and a more aggressive defense allowed them to start the third quarter with an 18-9 lead to restart the match (71-66). The Pels, however, responded with an 11-0, behind the “drives” of Zion Williamson and three new 3-pointers (82-66)! It takes five points in a row from Moses Moody to keep Golden State from getting in trouble (88-75).
With their backs against the wall again, the Warriors took advantage of the absence of Zion Williamson who was blowing on the bench to start the last quarter with a 14-4, thanks to a supercharged Klay Thompson (19 points) and Draymond Green (12 rebounds). , 11 assists) omnipresent defensively, to return to -3 (92-89)!
The Pelicans are not trembling, however. Willie Green revives Zion Williamson and his team moves forward. The former Blue Devil attacks constantly and scores 8 points while, opposite, Stephen Curry loses his 6th and 7th balls, allowing the Pelicans to regain a 12-point lead with three minutes to play (109-97). Curry, however, redeems himself by launching a 12-3 which brings the Warriors to -3 with 40 seconds to play (112-109)! Insufficient.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– And the Pelicans caught fire… thanks to their defense. New Orleans went from 7/26 on shots in the first quarter, including 1/8 on 3-pointers, to 16/22 on shots, including 10/13 on 3-pointers, in the second quarter. 10/13, including 8/10 for the duo CJ McCollum – Trey Murphy III!! This incredible turnaround originated on the other side of the field. The aggressiveness of the Pelicans and their long segments caused 9 loose balls from the Warriors, including 4 from Stephen Curry, in the second quarter and limited the Warriors to only 12 3-point attempts. This allowed them to go in transition and get open shots to get into rhythm. After that, we witnessed a collective confidence gain and an incredible long-distance festival which took the Pelicans from -11 to +16 in 11 minutes!
– The small, costly mistakes from Golden State's defense. At the break, Zion Williamson was 3/11 on shots and the Pelicans still had a 14-point lead. How is it possible ? Despite superb defense from Draymond Green on the opposing star, his teammates have the annoying habit of still coming to help when it is not necessary. This lack of rigor allowed the Pelicans to put the Warriors in rotation and get open 3-point shots, especially in the corners. If Zion Williamson was more effective in the second half, the Warriors once again paid cash for their mistakes. Their concern since the start of the season.
– The key to the match: Stephen Curry’s 7 lost balls. The Warriors star almost allowed his team to pull off the heist, but they were in that position largely because of him. Curry actually scored 16 of his 33 points in the last quarter, but it's the number 7 that will haunt him. He lost 7 balls against the Pelicans' aggressive defense, but most of his turnovers could have been avoided. Curry indeed made numerous mental errors while attempting complicated passes which allowed the Pelicans to make a hole in the second quarter and regain a twelve-point lead three minutes from the end of the match.
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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.
