The audience at the Footprint Center was starting to find the time long. The Suns (5v-6d) had not won in their den since the end of October. After four consecutive defeats on their floor, Kevin Durant’s teammates corrected their situation against one of the fittest teams in the league, the Wolves (8v-3d).
A large victory (133-115) marked by the return to play of Devin Booker (31 points), after five games of absence. The latter, like his teammate Kevin Durant (31 points), behaved like a boss in the Suns’ game to lead them to what brings together their benchmark victory at the start of the season.
The Wolves were in fact riding a series of seven victories in a row, including notable successes, the last two of which came on the Warriors’ floor. But we have to believe that this current “road trip”, and the fact of having played the day before in San Francisco, took its toll on the legs and the energy of the visitors.
Anthony Edwards too clumsy
The latter were tied for 12 minutes (35-29) before starting to sink in the second quarter. Relying on one of the X factors of their evening, Drew Eubanks, the locals showed off their very good spacing, helped by an excellent ratio of 3-point shots (17/31). And on their pair of crazy scorers of course.
Kevin Durant had no problem punishing despite the stature of Jaden McDaniels, while Devin Booker, hampered for the first time by Rudy Gobert in the circle, did not hesitate to return to challenge the French pivot on the next possession. And what about their mid-distance success against which the Wolves remained without solution.
Lagging behind in defense, the Wolves were unable to keep pace in attack, like Anthony Edwards who was too clumsy to battle with the two All-Stars mentioned above.
Karl-Anthony Towns or Mike Conley may have held their position, but Minnesota was already very far away at the break (76-54), and a little further away 12 minutes later (110-82). Only the fourth quarter “garbage time” will allow the Wolves to pick up the score a little.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Drew Eubanks in Blake Griffin mode. Karl Anthony-Towns will have known a nicer birthday present. While the Wolves inside celebrated his 28th birthday, Drew Eubanks was “kind” enough to put him on a Blake Griffin-style poster, with a not-quite-crushed dunk. His gesture punctuated a beautiful evening for him.
– Still no “Big Three”. If Kevin Durant has not yet missed a single game this season, the other two members of the local “Big Three” continue to cross paths. While we thought that Devin Booker, back last night after a calf injury, and Bradley Beal would finally play together, with “KD”, the second had to withdraw at the last moment due to back pain. To see if the trio finally forms for the Suns’ upcoming double trip to Utah.
– The Wolves arrive at the end of their “road trip”. One more match and back home. The Wolves will have three days to prepare for their trip to New Orleans on Saturday. This meeting will mark the end of their series of trips, positive because they won in San Antonio before following up with two victories against the Warriors.
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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.
