On this last Sunday evening of November, the NBA spoils its European fans, with no less than four games starting before midnight, French time.
This Wolves – Warriors in Minneapolis, on paper, is undoubtedly the most enticing of these four posters, between two teams which follow each other in the Western Conference standings (Wolves in 9th place, Warriors in 10th), and which cross a big highlight for several days (5 wins out of the last 6 games for the locals, 7 out of the last 10 for the visitors).
Unfortunately, in reality, it was less exciting than hoped, since the defending champions severely corrected the residents of the Target Center: +23 (137-114)! Well launched by an absolutely lunar first quarter of offensive efficiency, with 47 points scored at 76% on shots (against 27 for the Wolves), the Warriors then quietly sailed towards victory, throughout the rest of the meeting. .
The five holders exceeded 10 points, and Stephen Curry was obviously the most prominent, with 25 points, 11 rebounds and 8 assists (but 7 ball losses). Side Wolves, it is Anthony Edwards who signs the best individual performance in the collective doldrums, with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists.
This victory, their 11th of the season, allows the defending champions to present a positive balance sheet for the first time since the fifth game of the year, on October 27…
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The Warriors in the shelter after… 12 minutes. During the first twelve minutes of the game, Steve Kerr’s men did very well: they folded the entry match. With a first quarter at 47 points with almost 80% shooting success, to afford a 20-point lead when attacking the second act. A gap that subsequently increased to +28…
– The best game of the season for the Warriors’ major five. On many occasions since the start of the season, it seemed that the five major of the “Dubs” lacked binding, perhaps even cohesion. In that, this match was a reminder. A reminder of the damage these five incumbents, when on the same page, can cause. And the Wolves paid the price, since the quartet Stephen Curry (25 points), Klay Thompson (21 points), Andrew Wiggins (17 points) and Draymond Green (19 points) compiled 82 of the 137 points of the team, when Kevon Looney was, once again, wonderfully put at their service (2 points, but 7 rebounds and 4 assists). The five holders all end the meeting with a positive +/-.
– A gap between the two teams in offensive execution. On one side, 137 points at 58% shooting, with 50 baskets scored for 36 assists. On the other, 114 points at 44% on shots, with… 39 baskets scored for 22 assists. There was indeed a significant gap between the two formations, in the execution and the fluidity of the attack. The Warriors “Strength In Numbers” version were out.
TOPS & FLOPS
✅ Jordan Poole. Not always author of his best basketball since the start of the season, the Warriors “combo-guard” released an ideal match, for his role as sixth man: in 27 minutes, “scoring” (24 points), ” playmaking” (6 assists) and even 4 rebounds to top it all off. The former Michigan is on the right track.
✅⛔️ Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns. Discreet in the first half, “Ant” gained momentum after the break, and in particular allowed his team to (very) briefly return to around ten points from the Warriors in the last quarter. His foot still on the accelerator despite a defeat that took shape very early on, he has a solid record with 26 points, 4 rebounds and 4 rebounds. But too many defensive wanderings somewhat dampen the final visual impression, and his -29 +/- translates it well. As for “KAT”, he signs a match in his standards of the season, with 21 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, but has shown himself at times to be too imprecise and confused in his decision-making, like his 6 balloons lost.
THE FOLLOWING
– Wolves (10-10) : “back-to-back” in Washington (01:00)
– Warriors (11-10) : trip to Dallas, on the night of Tuesday to Wednesday (01:30 a.m.)
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