Warriors return to form in win over Timberwolves
After a two-game losing streak, the Golden State Warriors returned to their winning ways by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 110-97.
Most importantly, the Warriors got back to what they do best. They passed the ball and played tough defense. After a difficult two game stretch, they got a late Christmas gift coming in the form of a home game against a not-so-good T-Wolves team.
Feeding off the electric Oracle Arena crowd, the Dubs played a balanced game on both ends of the floor finishing with a total of 32 assists and 17 steals. Six players scored in double digits and every player that came in put the ball in the basket in one way or another. Sure, Minnesota isn’t all that good, but neither are the Lakers and the Warriors just lost to them. The Warriors took care of business against a team that they should have.
The offense re-appeared after a brief two-game hiatus. The team moved the ball around and ran on the break which resulted in points in the paint or wide open three-pointers. Guards Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson combined for 46 points with each Splash Brother going 4-9 from beyond the arc.
The rebounding was better than it was against the Clippers on Christmas, but I don’t think it’s yet at the level where the Warriors want to be. Moving forward, the Warriors will need to find ways to rebound the ball more. Despite securing 43 boards, the Dubs still were out-rebounded. Against the Clippers, this proved to be fatal. Against a team like Memphis or Oklahoma City, they can expect the same result. Draymond Green led the way with eight rebounds and David Lee tied his season high with seven rebounds and a total of six Warriors grabbed at least four boards. With both centers out, the Warriors will really need to come together as a team and crash the boards.
Lee is still figuring out how to play in this new-motion offense. He looked better against the T-Wolves; however, it’s clear that he’s still rusty. He only shot 3-of-10, but he knocked down all four of his free throws. Lee’s timing is improving as he connected with Curry and others on rolls to the basket. Where the Warriors truly miss Andrew Bogut is on screen-setting. Lee does not set big enough picks to free up Curry and, in fact, Lee and Marreese Speights like to slip screens and look to make plays for themselves. If Lee doesn’t completely figure it out soon enough, it’d be interesting to see if the Warriors look to move him possibly for a center if Bogut or Festus Ezeli don’t get healthy.
The Warriors got back to playing Warriors basketball. They got back to running the floor and picking apart the defense with the pass. Defensively, the Dubs were extremely active and came out with a lot of steals and deflections making the T-Wolves uncomfortable.
Ultimately, this game doesn’t say all that much about where the Warriors are right now as a team because the Wolves are pretty much trying to lose. This game was exactly what they needed after struggling against Los Angeles two games in a row. It was an opportunity to play freely and make the proper adjustments. The Warriors will have another opportunity to do this against the lowly Philadelphia 76ers as they prepare for a tough test against Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors.
This game was useful in getting the Dubs back into a rhythm, but it’s nothing to write home about. The great teams are supposed to beat the bad teams.