SAN FRANCISCO - The Timberwolves defeated the Warriors 102-97 on Saturday at the Chase Center to gain a 2-1 advantage in the Western Conference semi-finals. On Monday’s looming Game 4 in San Francisco, Stephen Curry reportedly has been out of service until at least Game 6, and the Warriors now find themselves in a must-win situation.
Here is the biggest gain from Saturday night's conflict:
Julius Randle is now locked in every aspect of the game as he continues to eliminate the playoff unreliable narrative. Randle put Wolves at a pace of 13 points in the first half, but he was the catalyst for the second half surge, helping to free up the offense and more importantly Anthony Edwards.
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Randle is proficient, with his first career triple-double in the playoffs, with 24 points, 10 rebounds and 12 assists. He is the first Timberwolves athlete since a triple-double in the playoffs since Kevin Garnett, and it is impossible to come in a better moment.
"I think I have a lot of different tools, do you know what I mean?" Randall said. “It’s really about using my mind and taking defense to me everything.”
He has the ability to bully the low post and finds that Minnesota’s shooter proves crucial as Randle repeatedly forces Golden State to spin the appearance opens. As he scored nine of 12 assists in the last two frameworks, he was crucial to the Wolves in the second half. Six of these second half assists went to Edwards.
“He’s incredible, man,” Edwards said. "Find everybody's cut. Time and time again find an open guy. Just getting the pace up. That's what we asked for him, and he's been doing it at a high level."
Randall's triple-double foundation was Minnesota turnaround, while Edwards stole the show. Edwards scored eight points in the first half with 3 goals scoring in the first half, and Edwards incorporated his game into the speeding drive, earning it with 36 points (13 of 28 FG, 5 3pts, 8ft, 8ft) in 44 minutes.
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When Draymond Green committed his fourth foul in the third quarter, Edwards were both capitalized, working hard to go downhill. He scored 15 points in the third inning and five of his six FGs were in the paint, including this sensation from Kevon Looney.
When asked what made him shoot, Edwards said: “I think it took me further if anything when Jonathan Kuminga was squeezing me.”
The Warriors pulled Edwards out of the rhythm in the first half, but it all blended into one once he focused on the premium look, down 28 in the fourth quarter of the second half with 13 shots. On the night of just 11 points added to the Wolves’ bench, Edwards and Randall put the team on their backs.
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Mike Conley joined Randle and Edwards in a post-match press conference, and his late defense and calm in Game 4 were the senior leaders needed for this rock fight, although his number didn't jump out of the page.
Golden State did not have no fights, leading into the final stage with four. But then, the wheels fell off. The Warriors tried hard to launch an offense, scoring 24 points in the fourth time, with more turnovers (4) than assists (5). That's when there's no curry.
The fourth factor is at work:
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Jimmy Butler was cold all night and shot one of seven from the field.
Draymond Green made a foul at 4:38. The Warriors managed to win two points in the third quarter without a foul green. They did not have the same fate on the fourth time. Offensively, without Green’s screen and decisions in the half, the Warriors worked hard to create a quality look against Minnesota’s compact defense.
No one was there except Cushinga.
Kuminga was excellent on the bench, scoring 30 points (11 points in 18 fg, 3 in 4 3pts, 5 in 6 feet), with 6 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 blocks. He looks like someone who wants to have a fat contract in the offseason and returns to relevance on Saturday night. Kerr has to stick with JK, which is fun considering he's been in Kerr's dog house all year long. Cushinga and Butler accounted for 65% of the Warriors' scores and 54% of the shooting attempts. If you are Timberwolves, it sounds like the secret to success.
For Golden State, the sense of urgency is now undeniable. The Warriors' pressure was to recover momentum in Game 4, with Curry not available. Green must avoid the foul trouble. Brandin Podziemski must wake up in 6 of 26 to three games. The Warriors need to limit turnovers, keep the ball moving, and continue to put pressure on Minnesota's frontcourt. The Warriors’ focus is to put Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid in foul trouble while punishing three-quarters of the position. This body and intention are key, especially when the Wolf takes away its ability to shoot for 3s; the Warriors only tried five in the first half.
For Minnesota, the victory is a statement. Everyone except Butler and Kubinga, Wolf cuts off the water for everyone and forces the fighters to have no defensive anchors at their most pressing moments. Wolves need to attack more offenses from the bench, but it will be in their best interest to have Jaden McDaniels more (4 of 4 obtained from the floor). His seven shooting attempts were his second in the playoffs, and his growth remains one of their biggest X-factors in the playoffs. Finally, if Edwards can stop settling for 3s and start attacking like in the second half, the Warriors will be on the ropes.
Game 4 Wait. The wolf smelled the blood. Golden State needs a response. Tie it.