Minnesota Timberwolves (29-47) at Golden State Warriors (44-33) — 9:30 PM Oracle Arena
Where to Watch: Fox Sports North Plus
Where to Listen: 830 WCCO-AM
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The Wolves finally did it: They helped coach Rick Adelman earn his long-awaited 1,000th coaching win. Tonight, they travel to Golden State to face the first of three road games out west. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM on 830 WCCO-AM and Fox Sports North Plus.
Golden State Breakdown
All season, the Warriors has done one thing better than anyone else—make 3-pointers. Their league-leading rate of 40.1 percent is led by Stephen Curry, who ranks third in the NBA with 45.2 percent from deep. They have also grabbed the fourth-most rebounds and committed the third-least fouls. With a formula like that along with solid offensive numbers across the board, it’s easy to see why Golden State should slide into the Western Conference playoffs this year.
Currently seeded sixth, Golden State is doing what it is supposed to do and closing the season out strong. The club has won five of their last seven, and they play a couple teams from here on out that may be resting their starters (namely Oklahoma City and San Antonio). Memphis is far ahead as the fifth seed, so the Warriors don’t have much of a chance to move up; they may feel some heat from Houston, however, as it is just a single game back in seed No. 7.
Last Time Out: Feb. 24, 2013
Despite a strong start and a dominating advantage in the paint, the Wolves dropped a 100-99 decision to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday that was determined in the game’s final minutes.
“Yeah, it is disappointing,” Andrei Kirilenko said. “We feel like we could have finished this game with a little different result, but I guess Golden State was a little more focused at the end of the game.”
The Wolves ultimately ended up suffering from an ice-cold fourth quarter. Minnesota missed six straight shots to begin the final frame, allowing Golden State to climb back and stay within a basket. Then, with a minute to go, a Stephen Curry jumpshot gave Golden State an edge that they managed to hold onto until the end.
After Jack missed an 18-footer, the Wolves regained the ball down just one point. Choosing not to call a timeout, Adelman allowed Luke Ridnour to race down the court and put up a shot that clanked off the rim.
"The ball was tipped,” Adelman said. “Luke got it. You have to push it at that point. Sometimes you get a lot better opportunity if you do it that way. There was not much we could do."
Derrick Williams led the offensive attack for Minnesota, totaling 23 points and 12 rebounds for his fifth double-double of the season. Nikola Pekovic scored 21 down low, and Rubio had a very well-rounded night with 16 points, 11 assists, eight rebounds and six steals.
Jack had 23 points for Golden State, making five from long-range. David Lee played 40 minutes and held down the low post for the Warriors, totaling 22 points and 13 rebounds.
Key Matchup: Jarrett Jack and Chase Budinger
Fans who saw Jack’s last outing against the Wolves remember his barrage of five made 3-pointers; the bench guard started off hot, shooting 4-for-4 in the first quarter for 11 points. He finished with 25 points on the night, providing a spark for a club that eventually won by just one point.
The first man off Minnesota’s bench is just as much of a shooter, but he is taking some time in coming back from adversity. Chase Budinger has now played in 10 games since returning from his meniscus surgery, however he has scored in double digits just four times. During a three-game stretch from Mar. 30 to April 4, Budinger made just three total field goals in over 40 minutes of playing time. The Wolves need more from him, and tonight would be the perfect night to start hitting more 3-pointers.
Injury report presented by TSR Injury Law
The Wolves just announced last night that forward Kevin Love will undergo season-ending arthroscopic surgery this week in New York to help alleviate pain associated with scar tissue in his left knee. His broken right hand will also be evaluated this week while in New York.