The Warriors ended a five-game winning streak! The Splash Brothers are in a slump, making 18 consecutive free throws, and Wiggins is fully contributing
On the 25th, Beijing time, the NBA's Christmas battle kicked off, and Denver will face the Golden State Warriors, ending five wins. In that game, the Splash Brothers didn't play well, while Kic made 18 free throws from the free-throw line and Wiggins was on fire.
Last season's favorites, the Nuggets started a strong season with a 21-10 run and are now in second place in the West. Jokic had a very good MVP, averaging 26.4 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9.2 assists, his second MVP after Embiid. Although they won the Nuggets championship last season, they suffered a weakening of bench depth and an injury to Murray this season. Jokic has been ejected twice this season and has been penalized several times for dissatisfaction with the referee's decision.
Compared to them, the Golden State Warriors are currently in 10th place in the West with a 15-14 loss. Overall, the Warriors' game can be divided into three periods. They won 6-2 in the first eight rounds, but it wasn't easy. In the next 16 rounds, the Warriors lost 12 rounds, Curry's scoring declined, Klay and Wiggins' inconsistent state, coupled with Green's mistakes, made the team lose the competitiveness it should have. However, with Green suspended, Wiggins relegated, and youngsters Podzemski, Kuminga and others all in the starting lineup, the Warriors have won five games. It's also a sign of the Warriors' resurgence, with Klay scoring 25.7 points in each of their last six games and shooting 53%+50%+100% three-pointers.
Green is now permanently suspended, and according to renowned journalist Woj, he will be suspended for 11-13 rounds, and the league also needs Green to receive a coaching session and regularly update the team, the league and the league via webcast. Of course, the NBA has the last say in Green's dismissal.
Looking back at this game, the starters of both teams are: Curry + Podzemski + Looney + Klay + Kuminga + Looney + Murray + Pope Porter + Gordon + Jokic, which is the strongest combination of both teams. In the opening stanza, Gordon played a simple one-on-one to Kuminga, and then Murray hit two Warriors defenders in quick succession, Klay hit a three-pointer to stop the wound, and Porter's slam dunk put the Warriors in trouble. However, the entire Warriors' defense was a bit lackluster, with Porter leading the team to an ever-increasing score in the first half. Klay hit another three-pointer, and Pope also had a decent outside shot, giving the Nuggets a two-digit advantage for a while. Wiggins' appearance has helped the Warriors to a string of victories, and Green doesn't look like an indispensable player anymore.
In the second half, Wiggins and Curry launched counterattacks one after another, but then Murray and Jokic scored back-to-back points to widen the gap between the two teams. In the second half, Jocki led the team to continue to expand the score, but Wiggins and Curry scored 3 points again, and Looney forced Jokic to score. In the first quarter, the Golden State team was overtaken by the Nuggets 26-29.
In the second quarter, Saric continued to be in good form, Porter hit another three-pointer, Podemsky and Paul also made threes, and Wiggins also played his form. The Warriors were a good team in this round of wins, and Green's absence didn't have any negative effect on their performance. As things stand, it will be difficult for Green to return to the first team anytime soon. In the end, the Nuggets won 120-114 over the Warriors, ending their five-game win, while they also got five.
As for the Warriors, Curry scored 18 points and 4 assists on 7-of-21 shooting, Klay scored 9 points, 6 rebounds and 3 turnovers on 3-of-12 shooting, Kuminga was 5-of-13, Podemski had 139 rebounds, 6 assists and 5 blocks, and Wiggins had 22 +18+22. On the other hand, on the Nuggets' side, Jokic had 26 points, 14 rebounds and 8 assists, Gordon had 16 10 rebounds and 3 assists, Porter had 19, 10 rebounds and 4 blocks, Pope had 16, 4 rebounds and 5 assists, and Murray had 28 8, 5 rebounds and 3 assists, which is also very good.
In the fourth quarter, Wiggins and Saric put the Warriors on a 6-0 run, but the brilliant play of Murray and Jokic made the win meaningless. In the end, the Nuggets defeated the Golden State Warriors 120-114, while also ending their five-game victory.
Overall, the Warriors played well on the bench, but because of the poor form of Klay and Curry, there were too many mistakes to make this win meaningless. In the remaining games, the Warriors will have to make some changes to meet the bigger challenge.