Dec 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Golden State Warriors center Festus Ezeli (31) dunks past Minnesota Timberwolves guard Andrew Wiggins (22) at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
Game 4
After a tough battle in Chicago, the Dubs traveled northwest to Minneapolis to face the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Although the Wolves are a low-end team, games like this one are always worrisome. Coming off a big victory against a quality opponent, this could have easily been a “trap game” for the Warriors.
But any thoughts that the Dubs would slip up and lose this one were erased early.
Thompson started off the game with a quick three-pointer, and Curry followed with a basket of his own, giving the Warriors an early 5-0 lead. Even with Curry missing six of his seven three-point attempts on the night, Minnesota wasn’t able to capitalize.
The Warriors cruised to 102-86 victory. Curry acknowledged post-game how this is a game that the team expects to win and commended his teammates for still giving forth their best efforts:
"“I’m proud this meant something to us,” Curry said. “The streak is what it is, but I think more so we want guys to understand we’re playing well and this is a game we should win and kind of just rising to the occasion.”"
Golden State’s defense was in top form, forcing the Wolves into bad shots all evening. Minnesota shot a dreadful 36 percent from the field and turned the ball over 19 times.
15 steals, including four from Shaun Livingston and three a piece for Green and Curry, and seven total blocks all contributed to a great defensive effort. Andrew Wiggins scored 21 points but needed 19 shots to get there, and no other Wolves did anything of note in regard to scoring.
Asked about how difficult of a team the Warriors are to face, Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders had this to say:
"“Ever play Risk?” Saunders said, referring to the classic board game. “I feel like I’m Macedonia with two people and I’m surrounded by 50 people and have to roll 12s 49 straight times.”"
Translation: They are extremely difficult to face.
One scare in this game did take place as Bogut left just a few minutes into the action. He was described post-game as having irritation in his knee by Kerr, and it wasn’t expected that he would miss any time.
This win extended the new franchise record win streak up to 13 games and the team’s overall record to 18-2.