The Warriors only have a short period to appreciate their win, as they will play again on Wednesday against the formidable Orlando Magic at 4:00 p.m. PT. A victory would result in an impressive sweep through Florida for the Dubs, and provide a valuable improvement in the rankings as the Houston Rockets are closing in.
The starters put on a superb show with Thompson leading the team in scoring with 28 points on 11-for-20 shooting. Kuminga added 18 points and 7 rebounds, Wiggins contributed 17 points and 7 rebounds, and Curry had 17 points and 6 assists. In addition, Green showcased his impressive defense while also grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing out 8 assists.
During this season, there is a particular moment that causes us to tense up as we watch the Warriors. However, there was no suspense this time around. Despite Miami putting up a strong fight and the game becoming intense with aggressive fouls, frustrated players, and heightened emotion, the Warriors maintained their composure. When Curry nailed a three-pointer with seven minutes remaining, extending their lead to 12 points, it seemed as though the Warriors had secured the win.
However, when the substitutes came into play, things became chaotic and Miami quickly caught up to reverse the lead. As they frequently do, the Heat were careful with possession of the ball: by the end of the first quarter, the Warriors had turned the ball over five times while not forcing any turnovers, putting them behind at 26-24.
Both teams battled intensely during the second quarter, but neither was able to gain a clear advantage. The Warriors’ reserves continued to struggle, and Chris Paul experienced rare problems with turnovers. However, strong defense and clutch shooting allowed the Warriors to stay in the game. As the teams headed off the court for halftime, the outcome was still up for grabs, with Miami holding onto a slim 55-53 lead.
Although there was a slow start, everything ultimately turned out successfully. The game was slowed down by multiple fouls and a review, resulting in an unattractive appearance. It took some time for either team to score, and while I am unsure of Golden State’s reasoning, Miami’s can be attributed to the impressive defensive performance by Draymond Green. However, the Warriors’ offense eventually picked up and they held an 18-10 lead midway through the quarter.
As their hold on a spot in the play-in tournament weakened, the Golden State Warriors traveled to Miami with a desperate need for a victory. Our writer Daniel Hardee even deemed it a crucial game in his preview.
They succeeded in holding the Heat scoreless for almost seven minutes, which marked the start of a dominant stretch for the Warriors. With a 60-37 point advantage in the second half, they were able to secure a 113-92 win over Miami.
That has to feel good.
The Warriors dominated in the third quarter, completely shifting the dynamic of the game. Thompson, consistently making crucial shots throughout the night, opened the second half with a three-pointer, helping the Warriors to secure a seven point lead within a matter of minutes. It was evident that the Warriors were now playing with a sense of urgency. The determination radiating from Green, Thompson, and Curry showed that they were determined to not let their team lose. The energetic performances from Jonathan Kuminga and Andrew Wiggins also contributed to this determined attitude. The Heat tried to make a comeback, but the Warriors responded with a counterattack every time.
Before the game started, the Warriors were given an advantage when Jimmy Butler, a star player for the Miami Heat, was unable to play due to an illness. However, there were other changes in players as well. Steve Kerr decided to put Klay Thompson back in the starting lineup, replacing rookie Brandin Podziemski.
Golden State extended their advantage to 13 points in the latter part of the quarter with a well-executed play that included Kevon Looney scoring a layup followed by a three-pointer from Thompson. They maintained a 10-point lead going into the final quarter.
