After their poor performance against the Pacers at home two days ago, the Warriors started the match against the Wolves with much more application and intensity, particularly on defense. They limited Minnesota to 18 points at 6/18 on shots, with only 6 points in the paint, while forcing 9 loose balls to take a 9-length lead (27-18).
The long distance skill of Naz Reid (5/6 in the first half) wakes up the Wolves but the duo Andrew Wiggins (15 points) – Jonathan Kuminga (14 points) pushes the Warriors' lead to +12 (43-31 ). Anthony Edwards (23 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds) then added 12 points to bring Minnesota to -2, but Stephen Curry responded to keep Golden State in front at the break (54-46).
Behind the hot hand of Naz Reid (20 points, 6/8 at 3-points, 12 rebounds), the Wolves push to start the second half but eight points from Stephen Curry (31 points), who makes the defense pay by “drop” on the pick & roll, allow the Warriors to cash in without flinching (68-62).
Nickeil Alexander-Walker as X factor
While Chris Paul and Klay Thompson (16 points) took over from Curry, five consecutive scoring shots from the Wolves spanning the third and fourth quarters, including three from Nickeil Alexander-Walker (11 points), gave them the lead. advantage (90-86)! THE momentum has completely changed sides and when Stephen Curry comes back into play with 7 minutes to play, Minnesota is eight points ahead (97-89)!
Two 3-pointers from Klay Thompson, followed by a dunk from Trayce Jackson-Davis, and another award-winning shot, this time from Curry, bring the Warriors back into a tie (104-104)! Mike Conley (14 points, 7 assists), Jaden McDaniels, and Rudy Gobert (17 points, 12 rebounds) do not tremble while Gary Payton II misses a ready-made lay-up (111-106). The Warriors give themselves one last chance to send the match into overtime but Klay Thompson misses the target. Minnesota is hanging on to Denver and Oklahoma City in the race for first place in the Western Conference!
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Twenty-one 3-point baskets for Minnesota at 54% success! At halftime, the Wolves were 9/19 from 3-point range, including seven for the Reid – Edwards duo. This address allowed them to remain in ambush after a complicated first 24 minutes. Their 7/12 in the third quarter allowed them to eat into their deficit, then their 5/8 in the last quarter allowed them to go for the victory. With four players with four or more 3-point baskets (Reid, Edwards, Alexander-Walker, Conley), they finished with a total of 21, equaling their season record, at 53% success!
– The nine minutes that weighed down Golden State. With four minutes left in the third quarter, Stephen Curry joined the bench as the Warriors led 70-65. When he came back into play with seven minutes left, the Wolves were leading 97-89! Without him for nine minutes, the Warriors conceded a 32-19 which gave control of the match to Minnesota. Kerr had tried to bring Curry back earlier, without stopping the game, the Warriors star remained helpless next to the scorer's table.
– Rudy Gobert determining at the end of the match. As often this season, the pivot of the France team was key in the last quarter to allow his team to seek victory. He scored 10 of his 17 points and grabbed 5 of his 12 rebounds. The Warriors had managed to contain the Frenchman on both sides of the field for three quarters of the match but he was able to adjust to have a decisive impact in the final minutes.
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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.
