Despite 58 points from the Karl-Anthony Towns – Anthony Edwards duo, the Warriors won a fourth game in a row behind a diabolical long distance address (60%).
The Warriors, behind 8 points from All-Star Andrew Wiggins, started the match on a 7/9 from 3-pointers but a dominating Karl-Anthony Towns kept Wolves on their heels (29-29). The two teams continue their crossover before Karl-Anthony Towns resumes his work. He caused four fouls from Kevon Looney and scored 12 of his team’s last 18 points in the second quarter to put the Dubs at -7. It takes a 3-point Wiggins to limit the breakage (61-57).
Twelve points from the “Splash Brothers” upon returning from the locker room then launched a 15-4 Warriors who reversed the trend (72-65). Thanks to Jaywen Nowell and five lost balls from Golden State, the Wolves cling on but the Warriors add a layer of it with three winning shots in a row from Poole, Curry, and Lee to push the gap to +14 (95-81) !
With KAT on the bench, Anthony Edwards wakes up his team. In its wake, Minnesota passes a 10-2 to the Warriors to remain in ambush but the address from afar of the trio Curry – Thompson – Poole ends up repelling the last hopes of Wolves.
WHAT YOU MUST REMEMBER
– The “Splash Brothers” are back! For the first time since the return of Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry and his Splash Brother gave us a performance worthy of their glorious past. Both players were on pace tonight and both scored five or more 3-pointers for the first time since the 2019 Finals, finishing the game 11-for-19 from afar. While Klay Thompson confirms that he is finding his legs and paw, Stephen Curry has finally found an address worthy of the name. The two players have always known how to feed each other and this return to the fore comes at the right time for their team.
– Warriors unanswered for KAT. Like in Minnesota two weeks ago, Karl-Anthony Towns dominated Golden State’s defense. In the absence of Draymond Green, it was Kevon Looney who wrestled with the Wolves star and his mix of agility, power and skill poses big problems for the Warriors pivot. KAT had 23 points and 7 rebounds at halftime, against 4 fouls and 1 rebound for Kevon Looney. Golden State was able to slow Towns down by sending aggressive two-takes after the break, forcing the other Wolves to take responsibility.
– 21 3-point shots to clear 19 loose balls. In the last twelve games, the Warriors were the second-worst team in the NBA with 3-pointers. Last night, they made a fireworks display, finishing 21 out of 36 from a distance, or 60% success. The “Splash Brothers” led the way but their teammates, Andrew Wiggins and Jordan Poole in the lead, followed suit to finish with the best collective percentage of their season. Without this address, Golden State would certainly have lost the match because of its 19 lost balls which gave 24 points to Wolves.
TOPS/FLOPS
✅ Stephen Curry. It’s been ages since we’ve seen the two-time MVP so skilled. That night, he had a warm hand and finished with 29 points on 10 of 20 shooting, including 6 of 10 from 3-pointers, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, and 3 steals.
✅ Clay Thompson. The “Splash Brother” chained good performances with his best game of the season. He scored 23 points at 5 of 9 from afar.
✅ Andrew Wiggins. Freshly named holder for the All-Star Game, the Canadian was again solid in defense while adding 19 points, 5 of 8 from three points.
✅ Jordan Poole. The sixth man also scored 19 points, 3 of 4 from afar, and continues to bring a spark off the bench.
✅ Karl Anthony Towns. With 31 points, 12 rebounds, and 6 assists, the Wolves star tried everything against Golden State’s aggressive defense.
⛔ Anthony Edwards. The sophomore scored 17 of his 27 points in the final quarter, but was outplayed by Andrew Wiggins in the first three quarters of the game.
THE FOLLOWING
Golden State (36-13): Warriors end seven-game home streak with Nets reception
Minnesota (24-24): Wolves continue back-to-back next night in Phoenix
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