It is one of the duels of the current NBA season. They are also the rivals that can reach possible Finals. But, for now, it has not been the first nor does it seem that the second will happen. Warriors and Nets met at the Chase Center in a duel full of conditions, which include the casualties of some of their main stars: Draymond Green for the locals and Kevin Durant and James Harden for the New Yorkers. A trend that has become almost a tradition in times of coronavirus, but that leaves us with no clues about what these teams could become. Not only because of the names of those who were missing, but also because of the rest of the casualties of two squads that, healthy, are full of talent. Chris Chiozza, Moses Moody, Andre Iguodala, Quinndary Weatherspoon, Nemnja Bjelica and James Wiseman also didn’t wear a Warriors jersey. Something that, in their rivals, David Duke Jr., Joe Harris, Paul Millsap, Day’Ron Sharpe or Jevon Carter did not do. That said: drawing conclusions becomes complicated.
Despite all this, we saw a good game at the Chase Center. Without any individual exhibition for the story, but with alternatives on the scoreboard, emotion, a tight ending and key plays at the right moments. The result also marked the fourth consecutive loss for the Nets, who are still without a Durant who will miss out on the All Star and he can’t hold it all with the minutes that Harden stick at home and Kyrie away. On this occasion, it was only the point guard who played and he almost finished off his rivals alone: 32 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists, in addition to 3 steals. But 5 losses, many difficulties at the end, little accompaniment and gradual exhaustion as time went by. Patty Mills (24 points with 6 of 12 triples) was once again the luxury companion, but beyond the base and some minutes of James Johnson (14 points) The Nets didn’t work out either way.
A 3-pointer by Johnson early in the fourth quarter gave the Nets the lead (78-81) in a fourth quarter that was constant give-and-take. With 93 equals, Curry scored a triple and Klay Thompson did the same on the next play, for a 98-96 that was, with a minute to go, a 104-99. That’s where the Nets pressed, who were within a stone’s throw (104-103), all options intact and a key defense with 30 seconds to go. But the magic happened: Klay screened Curry, went the other way, received from the franchise player and hit a 3-pointer that caused the Chase Center to explode and the “bang” by Mike Breen. The maximum representation of the Splash Brothers it came at a key moment and allowed the Golden State crowd to once again boast the honor of playing the most captivating game on the planet. A peak moment that Kyrie could not solve despite a spectacular triple later (107-106)in a duel that the Warriors finished from the personal (110-106).
The match was settled in that waywith some questionable arbitration decision and a balance that always tipped in favor of the Warriors. But the locals won with 21 points from Curry and Klay in the fourth quarter (of his team’s 32) and good performances from its two stars: 19 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals and 5 turnovers from Curry, who woke up in time; 16 points and 6 rebounds for Klay. In addition, a good performance by Kevon Looney under the boards (6+15), a good defense by Otto Porter Jr. (16+6, with 3 blocks), and a great Andrew Wiggins, who continues to justify, from his extraordinary discretion, his strange Started in the All Star: 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals and 2 blocks. And all, of course, while waiting for Draymond Green, who still hasn’t returned and hasn’t given us any clues about his condition.. That’s where the Warriors’ chances will go this season. Evidently.
#Splash #Brothers #crush #Kyrie