The Warriors confirmed their return to form by inflicting on the Jazz their third loss in a row. In a game where all starters scored 10 or more points, it was the Warriors’ skill and strong performances from Jordan Poole and JaMychal Green that made the difference.
Behind 23 points from the Stephen Curry – Andrew Wiggins duo, the Warriors are off to a flying start. They have up to 17 points ahead before an award-winning shot from Lauri Markkanen, only Utah’s second success out of fifteen attempts, stops the bleeding (37-23). The aggressive defense of the Jazz, however, allows them to return to the game. They cause eight ball losses from Golden State to return to -4 thanks to two new 3-pointers from the Finn (45-41). It takes five points from Draymond Green in the last two minutes of the half to keep the Warriors in control (59-51).
After their 4/24 from 3-pointers in the first half, the Jazz started the second half with skill. Three award-winning shots from Kelly Olynyk launch a 20-11 that puts Utah ahead for the first time in the game (71-70). A 3+1 from Andrew Wiggins, however, revives the Warriors. Klay Thompson, so far clumsy, adds four 3-pointers in the last three minutes of the third quarter time to drive the point home (97-86).
Jordan Clarkson and Lauri Markkanen try to keep Utah in ambush but the offensive power of the Warriors is illustrated. Jordan Poole, Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson scored 27 of Golden State’s 32 points in the final period, including five award-winning Splash Brothers shots that knocked the Jazz out once and for all.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– 72 points from the Curry – Thompson – Poole trio. For the first time this season, Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole finished the game with more than 50% shooting success (27 out of 54). It was Curry who started hostilities, before seeing Thompson catch fire in the second half, while Poole played him right on each of his entries. When the three backs have their hands warm, everything opens up for the other Warriors, in particular for Draymond Green (13 points) and Kevon Looney (10 points).
– Jazz’s failed defensive bet. Utah had decided to be extremely aggressive on defense, cutting pass lines and taking the Warriors high. This strategy worked in the second quarter. They caused 8 ball losses to get back into the game. Unfortunately for them, the slightest error in the movements of the attack of Golden State has also paid cash. Curry and Poole feasted on the inside switches and the Warriors were able to push the ball, scoring 35 points in transition.
– Can the Warriors confirm away? After seven convincing days and four wins in five games, including three at home where they won nine of their first ten games, the Warriors have two test games, in Minnesota on Sunday and in Dallas on Tuesday. Steve Kerr’s men will therefore be able to test their new rotation against two opponents who are just ahead of them in the Western Conference standings.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Stephen Curry. The Warriors star chained high-flying performances. That night, he finished at 33 points with 56% shooting success, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.
✅ Andrew Wiggins. He was called a metronome on Wednesday after the victory against the Clippers and he confirmed it again against the Jazz, with 20 points at 3/6 three-pointers, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
✅ Klay Thompson–Jordan Poole. Often on alternating current since the start of the season, the two snipers have been able to support Stephen Curry, respectively scoring 20 points at 6/12 from 3-pointers, and 19 points, 6 assists but also 4 rebounds.
✅ Lauri Markkanen. The Finn is still on his cloud. Faced with the Warriors’ newfound defense, he was still able to score 24 points with more than 50% shooting success.
⛔ The Jazz Bench. The Talen Horton-Tucker – Malik Beasley – Nickeil Alexander-Walker triplet finished the game at 7 out of 30 on shots and was never able to come and assist holders who each finished at more than 10 points.
THE FOLLOWING
Golden State (10-10) : The Warriors travel to Minnesota on Sunday.
Utah (12-9): Jazz goes back-to-back in Phoenix.
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