Hield’s X-factor status magnified in Warriors’ win over Pistons

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Hield’s X-factor status magnified in Warriors’ win over Pistons originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After playing winning basketball for the first 42 minutes and making a spectacular attempt to lose in the final six, the Warriors on Thursday night escaped with a victory that provides some clarity on the ceiling of their current roster.
It lies not with Stephen Curry or Draymond Green or Andrew Wiggins but with . . . Buddy Hield.

Curry, Green and Wiggins have a Golden State history. We’ve seen their ceilings. With Hield, it’s starting to become apparent.

When Hield is productive on offense, the Warriors can soar.

When he is unproductive on offense, they need Curry and Green and a few others to spare them from sinking.

Hield made an emphatic positive impact at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, scoring a team-high 19 points as the Warriors held on for a 107-104 win over the Pistons that sent Golden State back above .500 at 19-18.

Hield was not alone in delivering. Golden State’s lengthy injury report required others to contribute, and no one stood taller than seldom-used forward Gui Santos, who came off the bench with a spark that created opportunities for himself and his teammates. Trayce Jackson-Davis (14 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, team-best plus-16) and Dennis Schröder (13 points, seven assists, plus-7) also had solid games.

But Hield’s 3-point shooting tends to have a profound effect on the team’s collective vitality. His 7-of-15 shooting from the field was welcome, but his 5-of-11 shooting from distance was the straw that stirred Golden State’s offense on a night when Curry (17 points, 5-of-21 from the field, including 2-of-14 from deep) could not.

“Buddy, he’s been pressing,” coach Steve Kerr told reporters in Detroit. “He’s such a great teammate and he cares so much. Everyone was so happy to see him play that way and contribute. It was fun to see him with his smile and making shots and feeling good about everything.”

Hield’s hot start in his first season with the Warriors was integral to their terrific first month. He averaged 16.2 points over the first 15 games, shooting…

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Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/hields-x-factor-status-magnified-053152354.html

Author : NBC Sports BayArea

Publish date : 2025-01-10 05:31:00

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