Everything smiles on the Golden State attack at the start of the match. Their movement, the skill of the “Splash Brothers” and the aggressiveness of Jonathan Kuminga (16 points) allow them to take a 10-point lead (21-11). Denver then responds by posting Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon against the “small” Warriors. The two players score 22 of their team's 34 points to take the advantage (34-33).
The second period turns into a duel. Dario Saric (13 points), who takes advantage of switches to score low post, and Peyton Watson (19 points) pull out the stops, before Klay Thompson (24 points), who makes three out of three from distance, and Jamal Murray (25 points, 6 assists), who scores seven points in a row, does not imitate them (54-54). The Warriors then made a series of lost balls and communication errors in defense, and the Nuggets took advantage of this to make the break (70-63).
Upon returning from the locker room, the gunslingers draw their weapons. 17 points from the duo Stephen Curry (30 points, 6 assists) – Klay Thompson launch a 24-11 which gives the advantage to Golden State (94-88). Dario Saric and Brandin Podziemski (13 points) drive the point home with four new winning shots and the Warriors knock out the Nuggets (107-92)! Steve Kerr's men are up to 18 points ahead (123-105) but while the Chase Center is heard, the reigning champions are not giving up.
They passed the Warriors 20-4 in five minutes, thanks to 13 points from Aaron Gordon, to restart the match (127-125)! With a minute to play, Golden State followed up with a missed 3-point shot from Chris Paul, followed by a two-meter shot from Nikola Jokic to equalize, and a lost ball from Stephen Curry. With 3.5 seconds to play, Nikola Jokic sends a prayer from 11 meters at the buzzer who comes in with the board to crucify the Warriors!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Golden State's crazy third quarter. Dominated by Denver's offense in the first half, the Warriors completely reversed the trend in the third quarter. They limited the Nuggets to 40% shooting and only 6 points in the paint, after scoring 42 before the break! The defensive stops allowed the Dubs to find rhythm and regain their skill. The “Splash Brothers” served as the first wave with 17 points scored, but it was Brandin Podziemski and Dario Saric who arrived in the second wave with a 4/4 3-pointer that finished a dazzling 37-15!
– The Nuggets are finding their basketball at the best time. After this terrible slump in the third quarter, Mike Malone's men returned to the match by raising the tone in defense and returning to the racket, where they had dominated the Warriors in the first half. They scored 12 points in the paint in the last quarter and began their comeback thanks to Aaron Gordon, author of 15 points in the period, and Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets also made an 11/11 on free throws and ended the game with a 27-4 in the last seven minutes!
– The “Splash Brothers” break the Nuggets’ lock for three quarters. Before the match, Mike Malone was pleased with his team's defense against Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson during the first two matches between the two teams, won by three points (November 8) and six points (December 25) by his team. During these two matches, Stephen Curry was 6/17 and 3/13 from 3-point range while Klay Thompson was 2/8 and 3/10! “Those are numbers you don’t see often with these two!” » had also noted the Nuggets coach and the two snipers did not make him lie! Last night, the “Splash Brothers” finished with 54 points and 9/22 from three points, but they could not avoid the rout of their team in money time!
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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.
