Like in Portland, the Warriors entered the match slowly, and like in Portland, the Warriors then swept away everything in their path to win 127 – 86! Thanks to Lauri Markkanen and Keyonte George, the Jazz had the best start to lead 10-2 then 15-6. Steve Kerr takes a timeout, replaces Jonathan Kuminga with Buddy Hield, and then the festival can begin!
Hield is the first to strike after the timeout, imitated by Stephen Curry. In three minutes, the Warriors have just scored 13 points to equalize (19-19). The former Kings shooter is unleashed, and Golden State's “small ball” five is untenable, and after twelve minutes, the Warriors open up a first gap (32-24).
What a wealth of staff!
The machine is launched, and De'Anthony Melton takes over the maneuver to combine with Trayce Jackson-Davis. Opposite, only Jordan Clarkson is at his best, and the gap is growing, minute after minute. Hield, again, plants 11 points in a row to give 17 points in advance (54-37). At the break, he was already at 24 points with six winning baskets!
Returning from the locker room, same scenario with Stephen Curry and Draymond Green taking over at 3 points. The Warriors start with a 13-3, which turns into 18-4 to take a 27-point lead (74-47). Steve Kerr can then start to rotate, and the wealth of the bench is truly impressive. With each entrant, the gap increases to finally reach 41 points (127 – 86)!
What to remember
– Never seen before! Winners by 36 points in Portland, then 41 points in Utah, the Warriors have a differential of +77 after two games. This is unheard of in NBA history after two games. Certainly, the Blazers and the Jazz are considered the two worst teams in the West, but that gives a small idea of Golden State's offensive potential.
– Buddy “Splash” Hield. Sixth man, Hield has never looked so fulfilled in a team. He draws first intention from any place on the pitch, and that even gives him wings in defense. His first two outings were ideal, and he finished with 27 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds in… 20 minutes!
– The versatility of Andrew Wiggins. Starting at the back, Wiggins becomes a strong winger in the new “small ball” five, to support Draymond Green. Like Hield, the Canadian is having a blast in this role, and by halftime, he had already grabbed 10 rebounds. A career best in one half!
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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.
