Both the warriors and Timberwolves are among the top Western Conference teams so far this season. Each had only three losses coming into the game, but for the Timberwolves, this matchup against Golden State was a measuring stick. With the addition of three new starters (Jimmy Butler, Taj Gibson, and Jeff Teague) added to their core young talent (Andrew Wiggins and Karl Anthony Towns), Minnesota is trying to work their way back into playoffs for the first time in 13 years. But even with a minor thigh injury keeping Warriors' superstar Kevin Durant out, Golden State is still far better than most (if not all) teams in the league.
Warriors' game recap
The game got off to a slow start; the score was tied just 22-22 at the end of the first quarter. Minnesota shot a frigid 35.7% from the field, while Golden State wasn't much warmer, knocking down 36.4% of their shots. However, things picked up in the second period. Players off-the-bench for both teams helped breathe some life into the offense. Gorgui Dieng for Minnesota and David West for Golden State each scored six points in the quarter. The score remained tight, and the Warriors took a 51-50 lead into halftime.
But only one team came out alive in the second-half. The Warriors steamrolled the Timberwolves in the third quarter to the tune of 44 points. Steph Curry and Klay Thompson were spectacular, combining for 21 points.
Sprinkle in a couple of JaVale McGee thunder dunks, and Golden State jumped out to a 95-76 lead. The game wasn't competitive after that, and the Warriors cruised to a 24-point victory.
Warriors' game MVP
Steph Curry had 22 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, and didn't even play in the fourth quarter. He didn't shoot particularly well, knocking down just 7-16 shots and 2-7 from deep.
But he was aggressive on the boards and his penetration opened up easy buckets for teammates, especially during the Warriors' dominant third quarter run.
Rest of Warriors' starters
Klay Thompson helped pick up some of Golden State's scoring slack in Durant's absence. He hit 6-12 from long-range for 28 points. Andre Iguodala started in place of Durant and played well, scoring 11 points in just 21 minutes.
Draymond Green had his typical do-it-all game, finishing with seven points, six rebounds, and six assists. Zaza Pachulia hauled down five boards.
Warriors' bench
The Warriors' bench got a lot of playing time in the fourth quarter. But it was David West and Omar Casspi who came out and did much of their damage during key stretches to keep the score close in the first-half and blow Minnesota out in the second. West ended the game with 10 points and four rebounds in 13 minutes, while Casspi hit 5-7 shots for 13 points in 20 minutes. JaVale McGee added to his highlight reel with several athletic moves on his way to six points. Nick Young (12 points), Patrick McCaw (eight points), and Shawn Livingston (eight points) also contributed off the Warriors' bench.
