Small setback for the Wolves. Leaders in the West, winners ten times in their last eleven matches, the Minnesota players fell at home, on the night of Friday to Saturday, against Sacramento (111-124). The Kings were in front from the start to the end of the match, playing their game, effective at long distance (17/35 in the end, or 49% success) and tough enough in defense at the end to resist the return of their opponents.
Solid around Domantas Sabonis (15 points, 11 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 blocks, 2 interceptions), they were also carried by De’Aaron Fox (36 points, 12 assists, 5 rebounds), who has been getting a series of cards in recent weeks (29.2 points average, 7th best scorer in the League). Despite Rudy Gobert (12 points, 11 rebounds), the Wolves defense was unable to put out the opposing fire, and the performances of the duo Anthony Edwards (35 points) – Karl-Anthony Towns (27 points, 11 rebounds) did not were not enough.
Jokic too alone in Denver
Minnesota remains leader in the West while awaiting the Oklahoma City match this Saturday against Philadelphia. And with a still comfortable lead over Denver, beaten again last night, this time against the surprising Rockets (105-86), now 7th in the West. Houston got off to the best start and, after a fleeting comeback from the Nuggets in the first quarter, took off (60-43 at rest), with a solid collective (four players with 16 points or more including Alperen Sengun , 21 points and 15 rebounds).
The opposite of the champion, where Nikola Jokic’s 38 points (at 14/31) do not mask the team’s offensive difficulties, not in success (34% shooting, 23% long distance) and not helped by his replacements , little used (10 points from the bench). A time leader, Denver, in tough away games (six defeats in nine trips), is in its fourth defeat in the last five matches and finds itself under pressure before receiving Victor Wembanyama’s Spurs on Monday, last in the league. class.
