Tactical Analysis
1. Late-Game Execution: Wolves Clamped Down
The Timberwolves outscored Golden State 18–7 over the final 6:45, showcasing elite late-game execution on both ends. Their success stemmed from:
- Switch-heavy defense: Minnesota switched nearly every screen in the fourth, disrupting Golden State’s off-ball movement and backdoor cuts—especially dangerous without Steph Curry commanding attention.
- Physical rebounding: The Wolves dominated the glass late, led by Rudy Gobert and Julius Randle. Second-chance points killed the Warriors, who struggled to box out effectively with smaller lineups.
2. Warriors’ Stalled Offense Without Steph
Golden State’s offense collapsed in the final five minutes:
- No downhill pressure: Without Steph’s gravity, the floor shrank. Kuminga (despite 30+ points) lacked playmaking in half-court sets.
- Jimmy Butler’s fatigue: He logged 43 minutes and gave everything, but his legs were gone in the final two possessions—two missed pull-ups and one poor pass.
- Poor shot selection: The Dubs rushed possessions late—especially Brandon Podziemski, who bricked a contested pull-up early in the shot clock with 1:17 left.
3. Draymond Green’s Ejection: Turning Point
Draymond fouled out with 4:38 left, and the Wolves took full advantage. Without his defensive IQ and communication, the Wolves attacked mismatches relentlessly, especially using Edwards on switches against Podziemski or Moody.
Draymond’s absence:
- Led to a drop in rotations defensively.
- Removed Golden State’s primary high-post facilitator, stalling ball movement.
- Shifted emotional control to the Timberwolves, who were more composed down the stretch.
📊 Advanced Metrics Breakdown
| Stat | Warriors | Timberwolves |
|---|---|---|
| FG% (4th Quarter) | 31.6% | 56.3% |
| Rebounds (Final 6 min) | 4 | 11 |
| Points in the Paint (Game) | 38 | 50 |
| Second Chance Points | 6 | 15 |
| Turnovers (4th Qtr) | 3 | 0 |
The numbers back it up: Minnesota was more physical, more disciplined, and smarter in key moments.
🧠 Coaching & Psychological Edge
- Chris Finch (Wolves) called two perfectly timed timeouts in the 4th to reset his defense and keep Edwards fresh. He trusted his bench less and played starters heavy minutes, and it paid off.
- Steve Kerr experimented with small lineups late, which allowed Minnesota to crash the offensive glass and take advantage of mismatches.
- Mental fatigue and role confusion without Curry became evident—multiple broken sets in the final two minutes left the Warriors scrambling.
⭐️ X-Factors
✅ Julius Randle – “Quiet Triple-Double”
He controlled the game’s rhythm, forced double teams that opened up lanes, and delivered big passes in traffic. Most importantly, his defensive rebounding and box outs helped Minnesota finish possessions strong.
✅ Anthony Edwards – “Superstar Moment”
Despite missing late threes, his 36-point night showed maturity—attacking early, staying in control, and stepping up as the clear leader. He wanted the pressure.
🛠️ Adjustments for Game 4:
For Golden State:
- Ball-handling depth: Consider more Moody/GP2 minutes to help take pressure off Butler and Kuminga.
- Limit second chances: Rebounding discipline has to improve, or the Wolves will continue to capitalize.
For Minnesota:
- Keep punishing the mismatch: Edwards vs. Warriors’ guards is the mismatch of the series.
- Be ready for zone looks: Kerr may throw in zone defenses to slow the Edwards/Randle 2-man game.
- Finish strong: Don’t wait until the 4th to take control—attack early, especially with Golden State vulnerable emotionally without Steph.
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