The Warriors have heart. Led by eleven points in the third quarter, the Dubs laid down a fourth quarter in Playoffs mode to bend the mountain named Joel Embiid. Intensity, defense and fiery public: all the ingredients have been brought together to offer us a pure basketball game. As a bonus, Golden State makes a good move in the standings!
The challenge was daunting for Golden State. More precisely, he was 2m13 tall and was Cameroonian. Her name ? Joel Embid. We love Kevon Looney, but it was going to take more than this brave guy to contain the current favorite for the title of MVP. Offensively, but also defensively. A large piece of this caliber under the basket, it deters you from getting too close. And the Warriors played it trickery. Stephen Curry in the corner, the rest of the team further up. And backdoors in spades for the Chief, who systematically outpaced his various defenders to offer himself free baskets under the circle.
Yet…despite all the attention given to Joel Embiid, the Dubs failed to contain the boy. The Philly star finished with 46 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists! Often at the low post for a game in force, the pivot also knew how to deviate brilliantly to take shots at mid-range. A nightmare for Kevon Looney. Logically, Steve Kerr asks to double. The spaces to regale Tyrese Maxey and Tobias Harris are completely open, and the two thieves have a blast both in percussion and at long range.
????️ WAKE UP, JOEL HAS 38 POINTS. pic.twitter.com/7ndXMsM6Xp
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) March 25, 2023
But as usual…it’s when these Warriors take a hit that they find the resources to come back stronger. Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole in the lead. The duo hit the bullseye several times to allow their team to close a ten-point deficit. In defense, the spaces have disappeared, and the intensity goes up a notch. Driven by an incandescent Chase Center, Steve Kerr’s men didn’t give up… and finally won following a 48-minute fight that still smelled strongly of the Playoffs. It’s Jojo Piscine who will put the lid on to punctuate a fantastic evening: 33 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. The Splash Bros end up with 50 pawns in combined, 29 for Steph and 21 for Klay. One thing is certain, if the Warriors participate in the spring games, they will be very difficult to take in California.
33 PTS | 10-19 FG | 6-11 3FG
POOLE PARTY ☔️ pic.twitter.com/NpoLEGvp9n
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) March 25, 2023
Besides, a small ranking point: if they don’t gain a place in the ranking, the Dubs are now one victory ahead of first place in the Play-in. With three home games in the direct schedule, there is an opportunity to seal the deal almost definitively and secure direct playoff participation. The men of the Golden State know what they have to do now!
Source : ESPN
