The duos Stephen Curry – Trayce Jackson-Davis (16 points, 10 rebounds) and Kevin Durant – Bradley Beal (28 points) struggle at the start of the match (17-17), and it takes the dynamic entry of Jonathan Kuminga to see the Warriors make a first gap (30-22).
The Suns, however, managed to reverse the trend in the second quarter. A still untenable Beal brings Phoenix back to the level of Golden State (41-41), before launching with Kevin Durant (31 points) a 12-0 which gives them a 10-length lead (53-43). It takes three winning shots in a row from Draymond Green (16 points, 8 rebounds, 7 assists) and a magic trick from Stephen Curry to keep the Dubs in ambush at the break (65-61).
Golden State's defense raises the tone to start the second half with a 10-2 (71-67). The Suns continue to lose balls but the Warriors do not take advantage of it. On the contrary, Kevin Durant prevents them from capitalizing. The Olympic champion brought his team back to level with their opponents before finishing strong to give them a five-point lead (87-82).
Quel « thriller » !
Tyus Jones and Bradley Beal did not release the pressure and the two teams neutralized each other during the first five minutes of the last quarter (100-91). To get back into the match, the Warriors take out the barbed wire. The Suns remained more than five minutes without scoring, and Golden State passed them 10-0 to take the advantage (101-100).
Kevin Durant and Miles Plumlee stop the bleeding but a 3-pointer from Dennis Schroder (11 points, 4/13 on shots) keeps Golden State in front (104-103). Stephen Curry has the opportunity to kill the match 30 seconds from the buzzer but his winning shot goes wrong and on the offensive rebound, a foul gives two free throws to Kevin Durant (106-105). The final seconds, however, turned to the advantage of the Warriors. Three free throws from Jonathan Kuminga and two from Dennis Schroder gave them the victory while the Suns remained silent.
WHAT TO REMEMBER
– Jonathan Kuminga enchaine. Author of 34 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists the day before against the Clippers, the Warriors winger did it again last night. He again equaled his record for points in a game (34) while grabbing 9 rebounds. With 13 points, he scored almost half of Golden State's points in the last quarter (27)! Kuminga therefore continues a fourth solid match since the criticism of Steve Kerr after the victory in Minnesota last Sunday.
– The Suns’ offense stalls at the worst time. Dominant during the first three quarters, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal only scored two of their nine attempts in the last quarter. In their wake, the Suns made 4/21 in the last twelve minutes, impossible to put their game in place against the increased intensity of Golden State's defense.
– Stephen Curry's magic trick to beat the halftime buzzer. With six seconds remaining on the clock in the first half after two points from Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry went all the way up the court, before stopping his dribble at the 3-point line to pass the ball around him to avoid Okogie, Durant and Jones, and throw a floater that went in at the buzzer!
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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.
