How infuriating for Sacramento! Deprived of De’Aaron Fox, the Kings thwarted the Warriors for almost the entire meeting. They even raced in the lead throughout the second half, before sinking on a mid-range shot from Klay Thompson (14 points, including 6 in the last quarter) two tenths from the buzzer. This is the third defeat in a row for the Kings against Golden State, since Game 7 of the first round of the playoffs.
The Warriors had taken a nine-point lead in the first half behind the awakening of Andrew Wiggins (14 points, 6/10 on shots), but the defensive pressure from the Kings will put them in the match. After conceding 50 and 41 points from Stephen Curry in the last two games, Mike Brown decides to trap the Golden State leader. Curry loses 4 balls in the first half, and the Domantas Sabonis – Malik Monk duo keeps Sacramento in touch (56-55).
Davion Mitchell and Harrison Barnes then lead a 14-2 to open the third quarter and put the Kings at +11 (69-58). In the wake of Draymond Green, the Warriors raised their voice in defense and recovered thanks to two 3-pointers from Dario Saric (74-74). What follows is a cross chase with finally Domantas Sabonis (23 points, 11 rebounds, 8 assists) who believes he gives victory to his team with a shot from the angle of the free throw line. But there are 15 seconds left to play. On the last possession, Stephen Curry is pressed closely, and it is ultimately Klay Thompson who gives Warriors their first victory of the season at home.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– Lost balls and offensive rebounds, Golden State’s guilty sins. The Kings scored 18 points on the Warriors’ 18 turnovers, and 12 points on their 14 offensive rebounds. These statistics are the symbol of the meeting, between the much more aggressive Kings and the messy Warriors. Embarrassed by Sacramento’s two-man catch, Stephen Curry lost 7 balls. Steve Kerr’s men were saved by their defense, which kept the Kings at 40% on shots, while causing 15 turnovers, and by the contribution of Dario Saric (15 points) coming off the bench.
– Defensive deficiencies that still hurt the Kings. Like last season, the Warriors know that Sacramento does not have rim protection. If they were clumsy at 3-points, the Dubs finished almost 60% at 2-points, ending the game with five baskets under the circle or at mid-distance to make Mike Brown’s defense pay. . If the Kings want to take another step in the West, it will come first and foremost through defense.
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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.
