Historically, this defeat against the Timberwolves was the only time the Warriors lost at home this season without being short of a major general.
The first reason why the Warriors lost this game was because they underestimated their opponent and did not take their opponent seriously.
Historically, the Warriors' performance this season has been extraordinary. Everyone knows that they are aiming to break the historical record. It can be said that as long as the entire Warriors team plays, not back-to-back away games, they almost never lose a game.
Especially at home, the Warriors have never lost a game as long as all members play.
The Timberwolves are ranked third from the bottom in the Western Conference and are a completely bad team.
If a bad team plays at the Warriors' home court with all members of the Warriors playing, you can imagine how low the probability of winning is.
Therefore, the Warriors did not take this game too seriously. They underestimated the determination of young people like the Timberwolves to win.
Secondly, the Timberwolves performed very well in this game, and almost everyone performed beyond their normal capabilities.
Let's not talk about anything else, let's talk about Muhammad who came up from the bench. This guard is 1.98 meters tall. He was selected by the Jazz with the 14th overall pick in 2013. After being selected, he was traded to the Timberwolves. This year is his third season.
Muhammad averaged 13.5 points per game last season and his three-point shooting percentage was a career-high 39.2%. However, so far this season, he has only averaged 10.5 points per game and his three-point shooting percentage has dropped to 28.9%.
Because his performance was unsatisfactory, he started 13 games last season, and this season he played all as a substitute.
However, in history, Muhammad played 39 minutes in this game, making 9 of 12 shots, 2 of 4 3-pointers, and 15 of 17 free throws. He scored a game-high 35 points, 6 rebounds, and only
A mistake.
If you look at the data alone, this is definitely the performance of a superstar!
Not to mention anything else, just these 17 free throws, no one who is not a superstar can have such treatment!
Before the game, who would have thought that a little Mohammed would perform like this?
Next is Wiggins. This is Wiggins' second season. This season, he averaged 20.7 points per game and shot 30% from three-point range. However, against the Warriors, Wiggins made 11 of 19 shots and 3 three-pointers.
He made 2 shots and 8 of 9 free throws, scoring the second-highest total of 32 points in the game, as well as 5 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals.
It is said that Wiggins plays to maintain his health. Who would have thought that he would have such an incredible performance?
Not to mention anything else, 9 free throws and 6 steals are rare for Wiggins in several years. It is not an exaggeration to say it is the only time in his career.
One manifestation of the Timberwolves' good performance is their high three-point shooting percentage. The Timberwolves made 8 of 17 three-pointers in the game, with a shooting percentage of 47.1%, which is much higher than the Warriors' 34.3%.
In addition, the Timberwolves kept attacking the paint and drawing fouls. The Timberwolves took 36 free throws and hit 28 of them, while the Warriors only took 8 free throws and hit 7. In this aspect alone, the Warriors are better than the Timberwolves.
21 points less!
You know, this is the home court of the Warriors!
The Warriors did not pay enough attention to the Timberwolves, which allowed the young Timberwolves to find the confidence to win. Their talents burst out, and the Timberwolves kept attacking the inside and making free throws. In the end, the Warriors had no choice but to accept the loss.
Now that he knows these circumstances, Deng Fang will certainly not repeat the same mistakes.
Deng Fang made full preparations before the game and kept giving blood to the players:
"Never underestimate any team!"
"Our goal is to create history. It will be an unprecedented record. The entire NBA knows this. All opponents will go all out to stop us at all costs. Remember not to take it lightly!"
"We must have the spirit of a dogfight, fight, and fight. Remember, in order to defeat us, our opponents will try their best and do whatever it takes. We must match our opponents in terms of intensity!"
…
Of course, in addition to giving blood, Deng Fang also made sufficient tactical arrangements:
First of all, Deng Fang asked the team to reduce outside shooting and attack the basket with all their strength!
With Curry and Clay here, the Timberwolves will definitely go all out and not give the Splash Brothers a chance to make a three-pointer. This is a point that can be exploited. As long as the opponent saves, then rush in!
It doesn't matter if you make a layup, draw a foul, or miss a free throw, at least you can scare the opponent and not dare to pounce outside, and the main player will have foul trouble.
Although the Timberwolves players are young and not slow, their defensive habits are not good. They rely entirely on instinct. To deal with such defense, the Warriors are not afraid of a few veterans!
There is no need to play in singles. After all, the opponent is young, fast, and can jump high. He can run out of space, catch the ball and feint, the opponent jumps up, and then breaks through. The opponent can cover the defense, split the ball, cut his teammates, and score dunks. It is so simple.
!
Even in singles, the pick-and-roll is followed by a switch of defense and then singles, which is also very efficient!
On the defensive end, the Warriors directly took down the five dead ends in the opening game: The Timberwolves had a good touch in this game and could never let go of three-pointers. At the same time, Towns was also a big threat in the penalty area, and the opponent also did a good job attacking the basket. If you want to
Defending both inside and outside, the only option is to take the Death Five.
The biggest advantage of Death Five is that it has good flexibility, can defend the outside line, and can also take care of the inside line.
In addition, Deng Fang also arranged a pincer attack tactic: as long as the Timberwolves are singled out and there is not much time, they will decisively attack from a pincer attack!
Why is this? Because several members of the Timberwolves have certain singles ability, but they don’t have an organizer, or the overall situation is not good!
Can Wiggins play in isolation? Yes!
Can LaVine play in isolation? Yes!
Can Towns play in isolation? Yes!
Even Muhammad on the bench has certain singles ability!
However, if there is anyone who can pass the ball and organize the team, there is no one!
Of course, the singles ability of these people is just that, good, but not very good!
In this case, why not attack from a flank?
If there is enough time, let you play alone. If the pass comes out and there is an opening, you will be annoyed, but if there are only a few seconds left in the attack time, then decisively attack from a flank!
We are the top five, with fast speed and tacit cooperation. Even when you pass the ball, we can cover up and defend well. More importantly, you can't pass the ball too well!
There are many benefits to flanking. First, it can cause mistakes and counterattacks. Second, it prevents the opponent from causing damage.
What young players fear most is this battle!
What young players like most is one-on-one, one against one. We are young, strong, fast, and have good bounce. If you feel good today, then there is nothing I can do about you.
But once they are flanked and the opponent takes turns to cover up the defense, the young players don't know what to do!
