Anthony Edwards or not, the Wolves don't stop winning. Still deprived of their rear, the men of Minnesota won on the Hornets floor (117-123), signing a fourth consecutive victory. The Wolves (15v-4d) thus remain leaders in the West and neck and neck with the Celtics for the best record in the league.
They owe this success to their internal strength. Yet uncertain, Rudy Gobert signed the best of his season, while Karl-Anthony Towns once again assumed his status as offensive leader in the absence of Anthony Edwards. The two men, each in their own register, were decisive in an uncertain end to the match.
Rudy Gobert, uncompromising in defense
Five minutes from the end, on a finish near the circle from Ish Smith, the Hornets took a four-point lead (106-102), the biggest gap in their favor of the match.
The time-out taken by Chris Finch instantly paid off since the “KAT” sanctioned 3-points at the head of the racket, while his racket friend took care of most of his passes on the free throw line. And above all he showed himself to be intractable in defense, countering or dissuading the slightest enemy approach.
Mike Conley also played an important role in this end of the game, with an attack from the circle converted despite contact, or his good pass to “KAT” on the “pick-and-roll”. And this, while the interior had demanded that its leader serve Rudy Gobert in the post. Result: despite an impossible 3-point shot from Terry Rozier, the Wolves went on a 13-3 run in this sequence, to regain a two possession lead two minutes from time (109-115).
The visitors, who were also able to rely on a confident Naz Reid, did not tremble in the free throw game to end up winning. Despite six players with 11 points or more, the Hornets (6v-12d) lost their third meeting in four games.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Rudy Gobert was however uncertain. The Frenchman had not scored more than 17 points this season. He pulverized this total last night while he was doubtful before the match, due to hip discomfort. “ This is one of the best matches I've ever seen from a guy who was insecure. It's incredible to see him play knowing he's in pain and playing injured. The way he did today, my hats off to him “, greeted Karl-Anthony Towns. Rightly so, because Rudy Gobert was absolutely effective in the paint both in attack and defense. Surprisingly at the very end of the match, after converting a first throw, then exchanging a few words with Terry Rozier, he threw an “airball” on his second attempt… Nothing to detract from his fine overall performance.
– End of series for Mike Conley. 100%. Mike Conley had not missed a single free throw since the start of the season (16/16 before the match). A series that he fueled in this game by scoring his first six attempts before dropping a point at the end of the game. The veteran (82% in career) still had a little work ahead of him before getting closer to the NBA record established by a former Wolves player, Micheal Williams, in 1993 with… 97 shots in a row.
– A concern for withdrawal among the Wolves. To return to the score in the third quarter, the Hornets scored on a number of baskets in transition, taking advantage of a faltering withdrawal from the Wolves. The visual impression is confirmed in the figures. The locals scored 20 points on the counter-attack against… 0 for their opponents!
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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.
