Like the Warriors in New York the day before, the Kings start the game with authority: 15-2 after four minutes! The Wolves take a few moments to enter the match but with two winning baskets and a 6-0 to conclude the first quarter, they come back a little (22-30). A sharp Karl-Anthony Towns, then the points of Anthony Edwards allow to come back, then to go in front because the Kings defend less well (59-57).
The Minnesota back was not there in the second period, it was Jaden McDaniels, with his award-winning baskets, and Rudy Gobert, with his dunks and his power, who fueled the score. But the Kings always have an answer and even pull away before the start of the last quarter (82-91). He quickly disappeared as the Wolves went 11-2 straight away.
A good sequence spoiled by lost balls exploited by Malik Monk and his teammates on the counterattack. The latter puts on the baskets and, what we have felt for several minutes is confirmed, we go into overtime (115 all). It was once again Monk, who missed the winning shot at the end of regulation time, who made the difference. The Kings were three points behind, he made two winning baskets and Sacramento took the lead.
The Californian guard, author of 35 of his 39 points after the break, did not kill the match with free throws afterwards, but the Wolves did not take advantage of it. Karl-Anthony Towns mishandles a pass, which turns into a lost ball. Chris Finch's players will have one last opportunity to go to the second overtime, but Naz Reid's 3-point attempt in the corner does not find the target. Kings win 120-124.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– A close match. This great display in the Western Conference has kept its promises. Not always in the game, but at least in the intensity and suspense. There were a lot of whistles (51 fouls in total), protests against the referees, very physical duels. Domantas Sabonis notably took a hit and returned to the locker room at the end of the third quarter, a few moments after Mike Conley's injury.
– Anthony Edwards absent in the second half. Author of 11 points in the first half but not really in his match either (2/11 shooting), the guard did not play in the second half. For personal reasons.
– Career record for Jaden McDaniels. The Wolves barometer finished with 26 points, his best career total, with an excellent 9/11 on the shoot and 5/7 on 3-pts. Above all, he was invaluable in the second half to keep his team in the game with the absence of Edwards and Towns not always being fair in his choices. But Malik Monk was even stronger and had the last word.
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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.
