NBA 2018-19: Player Ratings - Miami Heat vs Golden State Warriors; Durant lights it up; Richardson impresses; Cousins disappoints
The Golden State Warriors faced a travelling Miami Heat at the Oracle Arena in a game that they would have expected to win easily.
Match Details:
Final Score: Golden State Warriors 120-118 Miami Heat
The Golden State Warriors had a lacklustre start, which turned into a nervy finish but finally, another win, thanks to a big shooting night from Kevin Durant. The Miami Heat took off to a great start, outscoring the big guns of the Warriors, 34-24. The Warriors responded by cutting the deficit to 5 by the end of the first half. Miami then overcame an eight-point deficit in the fourth quarter to tie the game and finally take the lead in a huge 4th quarter performance, but alas it was not enough in the end as the Golden State Warriors managed to win the game with a game-tying 3-pointer from Durant and 2 coolly taken free throws by DeMarcus Cousins to finish off the game.
Player Ratings:
1. Kevin Durant - Golden State Warriors: 9/10
Kevin Durant had a huge game for the Warriors, scoring a game-high 39 points in just 37 minutes, shooting 16-24 from the field. He managed to grab 6 rebounds and 4 assists too in a game where his best was needed to get the Warriors over the line.
2. Josh Richardson - Miami Heat: 8.5/10
Josh Richardson was in his element today, keeping pace with Kevin Durant, scoring 37 points in 37 minutes, shooting really well from the field, going 14-22. He did not bring much to the team with his supporting stats but he managed 5 assists as well.
3. Klay Thompson - Golden State Warriors: 7/10
Klay was good in the 38 minutes he played today, scoring 29 points and was second to Kevin Durant with his efficient scoring. He made 11 shots today, out of which he made 6 3-pointers, keeping the team ahead whenever the Heat was on a run.
4. Stephen Curry - Golden State Warriors: 6.5/10
Curry was happy to play second fiddle to a great individual performance by Kevin Durant, hitting 50% of his shots on the way to 25 points for the night.
5. Justise Winslow - Miami Heat: 6.5/10
Winslow played a good game for the Miami Heat, providing efficient scoring as well as supporting statistics that kept the team going when it was getting difficult. He had 22 points tonight, 8-16 from the field.
6. Dion Waiters - Miami Heat: 6/10
Dion Waiters had a good game for the Heat, only his 2nd of the season as a starter and he played a game-high 41 minutes, scoring 24 points.
7. Draymond Green - Golden State Warriors: 6/10
Draymond did not have a good night on the offensive end, as usual, taking just 3 shots, but managed to dish out a game-high 14 assists and grabbing 7 rebounds as well, making sure the Warriors grabbed the win tonight.
8. DeMarcus Cousins - Golden State Warriors: 3.5/10
Cousins played the most minutes he has this season but failed to capitalize. He went just 2-6 from the floor, ending up with 7 points. His 2 steals and 3 blocks were a saving grace in a game where he could have been much better.
9. Kelly Olynyk - Miami Heat: 2/10
Olynyk, of late, has become a part of the regular rotation for the Heat but failed to showcase anything in the 22 minutes he got for the Heat. He was an abysmal 1-6 from the field, for 2 points and did not play very well.