62-38 in the paint… This number alone sums up the domination of the Wolves last night against the Warriors. In the wake of Anthony Edwards (33 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists) and Karl-Anthony Towns (21 points, 14 rebounds), but also thanks to their defense led by Rudy Gobert (10 points, 10 rebounds, 5 blocks) and Jalen McDaniels, Minnesota made short work of Golden State. Stephen Curry (38 points) was once again too lonely.
Despite more continuity in the Warriors’ attack, they started with a 2/13 on shots against Minnesota’s solid defense. 13 points from Stephen Curry and 21 points from “second chances” and lost balls, however, allow them to take an 8-point lead (38-30). After Karl-Anthony Towns in the first quarter, it was the aggressiveness of Anthony Edwards and Minnesota’s defense that allowed them to gain the upper hand over Golden State. They took the lead against a still lonely Curry (54-51).
The Wolves are riding their momentum from the end of the first half to drive the point home. Edwards’ drives free Towns, McDanields, and Gobert, and the gap increases. Anthony Edwards’ monstrous poster of Dario Saric symbolizes the evils of the Warriors. No rim protection on one side, no threat in the paint on the other side. And with 25% 3-point success, Minnesota logically takes the lead (89-73).
Despite all the efforts of Stephen Curry (13 points in the last quarter) and a last stand from rookie Brandon Podziemski, the Wolves stayed the course to win 116-110 and inflict on the Warriors a third home defeat in four met. The two teams will meet again on Tuesday during the “In-Season Tournament”, still at the Chase Center.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Stephen Curry, alone against everyone. As since the start of the season, Stephen Curry performed well last night. His 2+1 before half-time was symbolic of all the efforts he had to make to reverse the long segments of Jaden McDaniels on one side and the wingspan of Rudy Gobert on the other. Behind him was nothingness.
– Minnesota corrects the situation. The Warriors stayed in the game in the first half thanks to their 11 offensive rebounds and the Wolves’ 9 loose balls, transformed into 26 points out of their 51 scored. Chris Finch’s men rectified the situation in the second half and the Golden State attack took on water, with only 22 points on 22 shots at 36% on shots and 30% on 3-points. As against Cleveland, they were unable to overtake the size of their opponents. Curry’s teammates finished the match with 72 points at 36% success. Not enough to hope for anything.
– +24 in the paint for Minnesota. With a much larger squad than the Warriors, the Wolves pressed where it hurts on both sides of the field. They closed off access to the rim, limiting Golden State to 38 points in the paint, and took advantage of their lack of rim protection to live in the paint. They scored 62 points at almost 70% shooting success. Add to that, Golden State’s 25% 3-pointer (before garbage time) and you get a demonstration of Minnesota.
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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.
