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Warriors 94, Timberwolves 91

Alan Draper profile picture
Sports Editor
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MINNEAPOLIS — If this is what a road-weary Golden State Warriors team looks like, they’re likely to be unstoppable after the All-Star break rest period.

Guard Stephen Curry had 25 points on Wednesday as the Warriors, playing their fourth road game in six nights, beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 94-91 for their third consecutive win. Guard Klay Thompson added 14 points for Golden State (42-9), which has won six of its last seven.

For the Timberwolves (11-42), there were some signs of life for this team, which is as close to full health as it has been this season. Down by 14 in the fourth quarter, the Wolves mounted a furious comeback to tie the game at 89-89 with 94 seconds left, and they had a chance to take the lead in the final 10 seconds, before center Nikola Pekovic’s layup off the glass clanked off the rim.

Guard Kevin Martin, who is averaging better than 20 points per game in his nine appearances since returning from a wrist injury, led Minnesota with 21 points. Guard Ricky Rubio, playing his fifth game after missing the previous 42 with an ankle injury, had 18.

The Wolves had pulled within four points early in the fourth, but the Golden State reply was quick and decisive — a 12-2 run which opened up a 14-point advantage. It was the 36th time this season that Curry has put up 20 points or more.

The Warriors led by three after 12 minutes and had opened up a 10-point lead by halftime. The advantage came despite the fact that they hit just one of their first 10 3-point attempts. Minnesota led 25-22 late in the first quarter when Golden State went on a 14-2 run and led by as many as 13 at one point in the opening half.

Minnesota pulled back within seven at 48-41 with 3:35 to play in the half, before Curry and forward Harrison Barnes hit back-to-back threes, prompting a Wolves timeout. Curry led the Warriors with 14 first-half points, while Martin led all scorers with 17 for Minnesota.

With the win, the Warriors improved to 31-3 with this starting lineup.

NOTES: Meeting with reporters before the game, Timberwolves rookie F Adreian Payne, acquired Tuesday in a trade with the Atlanta Hawks, recalled the first time he played a game in Minneapolis for Michigan State at Williams Arena. “I remember my freshman year playing there,” he said. “We won the game and I did a dance on the bench celebrating. But that’s about it. I’ve had some pretty good memories here.” … Golden State F Draymond Green was back in the starting lineup on Wednesday despite having to leave early during a 89-84 win in Philapdelphia on Monday with a sprained left ankle. He had four points and three rebounds in 27 minutes. … The Warriors are in the midst of a stretch playing 10 of 11 games on the road. The lone home game is after the All-Star break when they host the San Antonio Spurs on Feb. 20. Minnesota also gets a nine-day break before hosting the Phoenix Suns a week from Friday.

Alan is an expert gambling writer who works as one of the chief editors for Basketball Insiders. He has been covering online gambling and sports betting for over 8 years, having written for the likes of Sportlens, Compare.bet, The Sports Daily, 90min, and TopRatedCasinos.co.uk. His particular specialisms include US online casinos and gambling regulations, and soccer and basketball betting. Based in London, Alan holds an MA in English Literature and is a passionate supporter of Chelsea FC.

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