OAKLAND – The last time the Warriors and Timberwolves squared off in Oracle Arena, the flow of the game and most importantly the result, were much different than the Warriors’ 115-102 victory on Saturday night.
Last season, the Timberwolves’ victory in Oakland was the result of a lack of execution on the defensive end of by the home squad. Shabbaz Muhammad and Andrew Wiggins combined for 67 points and the young Wolves dropped 124 in front of a stunned crowd in a game that went to overtime. Saturday, Minnesota managed only 105 points on 47-percent shooting.
The Warriors shot well this game, going (10-20) from deep and 55-percent overall, but it was their efficiency on defense and their ability to lock up the T’wolves young stars that helped them secure their 11th straight victory of the young 2016-17 season. The Timberwolves shot an abysmal 28-percent from deep and failed to reach the 50-percent mark overall from the field as there seemed to be a Warriors’ hand in all the young Wolves’ faces all night.
On a night where the proverbial engine for the Warriors (Draymond Green) was in street clothes with an ankle injury, the offense didn’t seem to suffer any as the Warriors put up 100 points for the 12th straight game. They’ve only failed to reach that mark once, their last loss of the season in LA at the hands of the Lakers nearly a month ago.
The stellar play of the Dubs’ stars is becoming old news at this point. Curry led the way with 34, Durant had 28 and Klay Thompson added a comparatively meager 23 points. Some teams in the NBA don’t have a single player averaging 20 points.
The Warriors have three.
More old news for Golden State: JaVale McGee playing incredibly well during his limited time on the floor. McGee went 4-5 in 11 minute putting up eight points and five boards in that time. He also added a blocked shot, continuing to make a case for the Warriors’ best big man.
Next up for Golden State is another home game against the 10-6 Atlanta Hawks who have lost three of their last four games.