O Minnesota Timberwolves defeated the Golden State Warriors 117 to 93 on the night of last Thursday (8), drawing the semifinals of the West Conference in 1-1. The absence of the injured Stephen Curry weighed to the Warriors, who found no rhythm in the target center.
Julius Randle led the Timberwolves with 24 points and 11 assists, while Anthony Edwards added 20 points and 9 rebounds, surfing a scare with an ankle twist in the second quarter. The Nickeil Alexander-Walker reserve was decisive, contributing 20 points.
“We reviewed the bids and saw that the problem in game 1 was not just the throws, but the lack of defensive pressure,” admitted Edwards. “We fix it today.”
Without curry, the Warriors depended on Jonathan Kuminga (18 points) and Jimmy Butler III (17), but failed in the reaction after reducing to 62 to 55 in the third quarter.
“We had a formula that worked, but everything changes. Now we need to find a new way,” said the coach
Minnesota started packed, opening 25 to 7 in the first room. The team kept control even with Edwards on the bench after the injury. “The beginning defined the tone,” said coach Chris Finch.
Now the series goes to San Francisco, with the Warriors pressed to adjust the game without their main star. The next game will be on Sunday (11), at 20:30, at Chase Center.
