The long-distance skill of Luka Doncic (3/6) and the Mavs (5/12) allowed them to take the lead in the first quarter (34-26). We had to wait until the start of the second quarter and the Slovenian's exit to see Golden State enter its match. They even have the opportunity to return to -1 but a lost ball from Klay Thompson (3 points, 1/11 on shots) on the counterattack kills this momentum and launches a 13-0 for Dallas (49-33)!
The Warriors are getting back on track thanks to the intensity of Gary Payton II, back from injury, and Brandin Podziemski (13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists). Stephen Curry and Andrew Wiggins (14 points) in all good shots then respond with a 12-0 but a 2+1 from Luka Doncic and two winning shots from Dante Exum (19 points) keep Dallas at +9 (63-54 ).
Eleven points from Stephen Curry (25 points, 7 assists) in the third quarter brought life back to the Warriors but Luka Doncic did even better. The Mavs star plants 14 points in the first seven minutes of the period to keep Golden State at bay (101-89). Stephen Curry, Chris Paul (24 points, 6 assists) and Brandin Podziemski push at the start of the fourth quarter and bring the Warriors back to six points but the Mavs do not panic. Luka Doncic, Dante Exum and Josh Green (18 points) drive the point home to get back on the path to victory.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– New major five change for Steve Kerr. The Warriors staff continues to look for solutions and decided to make two changes to their starting five against Dallas. Chris Paul took the place of Brandin Podziemski, who replaced Andrew Wiggins on December 14, and rookie Trayce Jackson-Davis, who scored ten or more points and had three double-doubles in the last six games, took the place by Kevon Looney. A new five which finished at -6 in 10 minutes of play at the start of the first and third quarter.
– Luka Doncic disgusts the Warriors and the Chase Center. Uncertain before the start of the match, Luka Doncic had fun during his warm-up for around fifteen minutes. He kept the same carefree attitude during the game, playing with a false rhythm and demoralizing the Golden State defense in the process. The Slovenian had the answer to everything. Step back 3-pointer, mid-range shot after initiating contact against his defender, perfect reading of the defensive help to find his teammates. The Mavs star was impressively easy.
– The Mavs made the difference at 3 points. Golden State (40) and Dallas (42) are in the Top 5 of teams taking the most 3-pointers per game this season and, before tonight's game, they had the same percentage (36.7%). If the two teams finished the match with an almost identical percentage (39.6% and 40%), the Mavs made the gap in the first half by scoring open shots that the Warriors missed. At the break, the Josh Green – Dante Exum – Grant Williams trio was 7/8 from afar while Golden State was 6/22! Curry, Podziemski and Paul took charge in the second half but the Mavs never lost theirs, keeping the Warriors at bay throughout the second half.
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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.
