When the teams play Sunday night in Minneapolis, the Minnesota Timberwolves will attempt to complete a regular-season series sweep of the Golden State Warriors.
Minnesota (48-22) defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-91 on Friday night. As they compete for the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, the Timberwolves have won four of their last five games
Golden State (36-33) is attempting to hold onto its lead over the Houston Rockets for the final play-in berth in the West. As of Sunday, the Warriors sit in 10th place, one game and a half behind the Los Angeles Lakers for ninth place.
The teams are playing each other in their third and final regular-season encounter.
On November 12 in San Francisco, Minnesota prevailed 116-110 in the first meeting. Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 38 points, including five 3-pointers, while Anthony Edwards led the Timberwolves with 33 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.
The teams reconnected on the home court of the Warriors two nights later. Karl-Anthony Towns was a major factor in the Timberwolves’ 104-101 victory as he finished with 33 points and 11 rebounds.
Minnesota (48-22) defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 104-91 on Friday night. As they compete for the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, the Timberwolves have won four of their last five games.
Reid, an undrafted free agent out of LSU, has grown to be a beloved figure among Minnesotans. On Friday, supporters yelled his name all around the Target Center.
“(It’s) amazing, something you dream about, especially at this level in the NBA,” said Reid. “That is affection. So much help. Everyone is aware of my immense efforts from the beginning to the end, and there is still work ahead of me.”
Reid has earned all of his accomplishments, according to Timberwolves coach Chris Finch.
“He has been an incredible story here from day one,” Finch stated. How he’s altered his physique, continued to improve, and plays with such assurance and vigor. His teammates adore him whether he starts or comes off the bench.
“He is incredibly talented. It’s entertaining to watch him improve constantly.”
Along with Towns’ absence, two other Timberwolves players are classified as questionable: Edwards (dislocated left middle finger) and Rudy Gobert (left rib pain).
Curry leads Golden State with an average of a team-high 26.8 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.9 assists. Curry is making 40.9 percent of his shots overall and 40.3 percent of his 3-pointers.
The next two highest scorers for the Warriors are Jonathan Kuminga (16.3) and Klay Thompson (17.3 points per game). Wisconsin native Brandin Podziemski, a rookie, will make his professional debut in nearby Minnesota.
Coach Steve Kerr of the Warriors wants to see more after Golden State was intimidated during Friday’s 123-111 home loss to the Indiana Pacers.
“They just pushed the ball down our throats and got out in transition,” Kerr stated. “I thought they were the more physical team as well.”
Minnesota’s home record this season is 24-9. On the road, Golden State is 18–14.
