Antawn Jamison led seven players in double figures with 25 points as the Golden State Warriors snapped a 10-game losing streak with a 115-106 victory over the Timberwolves, who dropped to 1-7 at home in March.
Jamison made 10-of-18 shots and had seven rebounds for the Warriors, who had lost 24 of their previous 26 road games and 10 of 11 at Target Center.
"We've been doing a good job of making most of our games good games until the last couple of minutes," Jamison said. "Tonight -- instead of folding and not being as aggressive as we normally would be, and being tentative -- we had a lot of confidence, and went out there and finished the game and played to win it."
|
Warriors-Wolves: 56k | 300k After a 24-point first half, Wally Szczerbiak scored just four points after the break. David Sherman NBAE/Getty Images |
"We played one of our better games of the year," Warriors coach Brian Winters said. "We played with a real sense of determination and resolve to win. I'm happy to see it. A lot of good performances from a lot of people."
The Warriors took the lead for good at 50-49 on a jump shot by rookie Jason Richardson with 88 seconds left in the second quarter.
Minnesota, which trailed, 84-78, entering the fourth quarter, scored the first point of the period on a free throw by ex-Warrior Marc Jackson but got no closer and trailed by double digits for much of the last 12 minutes.
"We're not playing to win, we're playing not to lose," Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders said. "We're letting teams come in here and get confidence, and then we can't stop anyone.
Until we start playing with passion and a sense of urgency, we're kidding ourselves. We'll attack it tomorrow, and that's all we can do. Right now, we're running around feeling sorry for ourselves, and nobody in this league feels sorry for us. They could care less."
Kevin Garnett scored 31 points and Wally Szczerbiak 28 for the Timberwolves, who have dropped nine of their 11 games to fall to sixth place in the Western Conference.
"Our defense isn't very good," Szczerbiak said. "We didn't play with a lot of passion. We didn't come out and give a good effort. We just need to collectively bring our 'A' game when we are out there. Giving up 115 points is not good."
"We gave up a lot of second-chance points tonight," Garnett said. "They are probably the best rebounding team in the league. Wally and I were tapping the ball around, but they were getting it."
The Warriors outrebounded the Timberwolves, 48-39, and had a 26-9 advantage in second-chance points.
"I don't know exactly what's happened to their team," Winters said. "Obviously, they're not playing as well. You lose a guy like (injured starting point guard) Terrell (Brandon), it's going to hurt you."
"We have to stay together and stay calm," Garnett said. "A three- or four-game streak of wins will take us totally out of this."







