Unlike last season, the Wolves no longer lose against poorly ranked teams, and last night, they won in Detroit (124-117). But as the scoreline indicates, it wasn't easy, and Chris Finch didn't enjoy the first half at all. And more particularly the first quarter lost 40-39.
“We were a little more serious in the second half, but I really didn't like our lack of seriousness in the first half”, reacted the Wolves coach. “I'm not very happy with our performance tonight, but we did what we needed to do to get the win. In the end, that's what counts, but it's not the level of play we were hoping for. »
What Finch didn't like was when his players indulged in “hooray basketball.” “It was ridiculous… We were trading baskets, and when we get in there, everyone thinks it's going to be too easy. »
Sufficiency?
Same regrets for Rudy Gobert, author of 19 points and 16 rebounds. “We got off to a slow start and we weren't happy with the way we played in the first half. We then did a good job of improving things throughout the match. But we conceded 40 points in the first quarter and 117 in the end, and we have to do better.”
Thanks to 16-2 straddling the 3rd and 4th last quarters, the Wolves thought they had taken cover. Ten minutes from the end, Rudy Gobert's teammates were 17 points ahead (109-92). But here again, they will fall back into their mistakes and the Pistons will return to -6 four minutes from the end.
Booster for the Wolves at the start of the 4th quarter, Nickeil Alexander-Walker nevertheless ensures that the Wolves did not look down on the Pistons. “The match remained close, which gave them confidence and fueled their fire. Personally, I tried to step it up a gear…I wouldn't say we overlooked anyone, but I think in terms of effort and approach to the game, we just need to do better. »
As the Nuggets and the Thunder had lost the day before, the Wolves (29v-11d) opened up a small gap at the top of the Western Conference.
