Timberwolves vs. Warriors: Staying competitive...
Nov 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) high fives forward Kevin Durant (35) after a basket against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
The Timberwolves are in somewhat of a tailspin after a disappointing road loss in Toronto and a blowout loss at home to the Pistons, and need to at least be competitive against the league’s best on Sunday night.
After an impressive, double-digit, comeback road win last weekend, the Wolves have gone 0-3 this week with home losses to the San Antonio Spurs and Detroit Pistons sandwiched around a tough loss in Toronto on Thursday night.
The Wolves are certainly unlikely to be victorious against the 20-4 Golden State Warriors, although the back-to-back Western Conference champs were blown out by 21 points on Saturday in Memphis to a surprisingly good Grizzlies squad. But a competitive performance would go a long way for Tom Thibodeau’s group.
Many of the key Wolves players identified a lack of want-to following Friday night’s ugly loss to Detroit, and that simply can’t happen — especially not on Sunday. If you can’t get up to face the league’s best, than it’s already a lost season.
The preview lies ahead…
Nov 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves forward Andrew Wiggins (22) dunks the ball against Golden State Warriors center JaVale McGee (1) during the third quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves Preview
Record: 6-16 (3-6 home, 3-10 road)
Starting Lineup
PG – Ricky Rubio (6.6 PPG, 6.4 APG, 3.8 RPG, 1.3 SPG)
SG – Zach LaVine (20.2 PPG, 3 RPG, 2.9 APG)
SF – Andrew Wiggins (22.1 PPG, 4 RPG, 2.3 APG)
PF – Gorgui Dieng (10.3 PPG, 8 RPG, 2.4 APG)
C – Karl-Anthony Towns (21.4 PPG, 10.4 RPG, 2.3 APG)
Key Reserves
The Wolves bench continues to improve overall, although there was some slippage in Saturday night’s debacle of a loss to the Pistons.
While Kris Dunn has been effective of late and has clearly taken many steps in the right direction, Nemanja Bjelica missed Saturday’s tilt due to an ankle injury, and it’s unclear if he’ll be able to face the Warriors. Brandon Rush played a few minutes and was okay, but Adreian Payne was largely a disaster in his first stint over the past couple of weeks.
The Wolves will need the bench to at least remain competitive if they are going to hang with the mighty Warriors on Sunday evening.
Nov 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Klay Thompson (11) drives in ahead of Minnesota Timberwolves guard Kris Dunn (3) during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Golden State Warriors Preview
Record: 20-4 (9-2 home, 11-2 road)
Starting Lineup
PG – Stephen Curry (25.5 PPG, 5.7 APG, 4.2 RPG)
SG – Klay Thompson (21.5 PPG, 3.5 RPG, 2 APG)
SF – Kevin Durant (26 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 4.6 APG)
PF – Draymond Green (10.7 PPG, 8.4 RPG, 7 APG)
C – Zaza Pachulia (4.3 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.4 APG)
Key Reserves
The Warriors were shorthanded last time they faced off against the Timberwolves and it wasn’t an issue. This time, they’re largely healthy although normal starting center Zaza Pachulia may miss his second consecutive game due to injury. Anderson Varejao started and played in just his seventh game of the season on Saturday in his stead.
Golden State did play less than 24 hours prior, so there’s a chance that there could be a player or two that are rested against the lowly Timberwolves. But either way, the Warriors have the clear bench advantage.
Nov 26, 2016; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) drives in against the Minnesota Timberwolves during the fourth quarter at Oracle Arena. The Golden State Warriors defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 115-102. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Three Things to Watch
1. Containing Curry. During last April’s road win over the Warriors, the Wolves forced Stephen Curry into a 7-of-25 shooting night, including 4-of-14 from beyond the arc. In late November, the Timberwolves allowed Curry to shoot 13-of-19 from the field, including 4-of-8 from beyond the arc. He also tallied eight rebounds, six assists, and two steals.
Shutting down Curry is a pipe dream, of course. But allowing him to run rampant isn’t going to help your chances at winning, either. The Wolves need to do better than they did last time around.
2. Improvement from Wiggins and Towns. The Wolves’ top-two scorers have struggled mightily of late, both with efficiency and in the other box score areas — assists, steals, etc. If Minnesota is going to get back on track, they need more in the way of contributions from the duo that are supposed to be their best players.
3. Paint play. The Detroit Pistons dominated the paint on Friday night. Towns had stretches during which he played well, but Gorgui Dieng struggled on the glass and Cole Aldrich only grabbed one rebound in 20 minutes off the bench.
The Warriors aren’t exactly known for their interior play, but Zaza Pachulia (if he plays), Anderson Varejao, David West, and others are absolutely a group of solid rebounders that the Wolves could struggle to contend with.
Dec 8, 2016; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr reacts during the second half against the Utah Jazz at Vivint Smart Home Arena. Golden State won 106-99. Mandatory Credit: Russ Isabella-USA TODAY Sports
Game Prediction
This one could easily become ugly, and in rapid fashion.
The Wolves are 6-16 on the season, and the Warriors are 20-4. They are back-to-back Western Conference champs and won the 2015 NBA Finals with largely the same nucleus — minus Kevin Durant, of course.
The Warriors lost on Saturday in Memphis, but they could be that much more inclined to try harder against a team they otherwise might have mailed it in against.
The Wolves will hang back for much of the game, down by 10-15 points all evening long. The Warriors will have a slight surge at the end and win by a comfortable margin, 110-93.
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