Warriors survive Minnesota to keep important streak alive
In a game that featured 14 lead changes and 12 ties, Golden State was just pleased to escape Target Center with a 116-108 victory over the Timberwolves.
The Warriors used a decisive fourth quarter to keep intact their NBA-record streak of games without back-to-back losses.
Durant (22 points, eight rebounds, five assists), Klay Thompson (30 points, six rebounds), Stephen Curry (22 points, nine assists), and Draymond Green (18 points, five threes) allowed Golden State to withstand porous stretches and a horrendous night on the boards.
Minnesota’s Andrew Wiggins, Karl-Anthony Towns and Zach Lavine, who finished with 25 points apiece, were left with another reminder of why they’re on the opposite end of the NBA hierarchy from the Warriors.
Golden State has not lost back-to-back regular-season games since April 2015, when it fell at San Antonio and New Orleans before winning 20 of its next 25 to take the franchise’s first NBA title since 1975.
The Timberwolves, who had allowed 114.6 points on 49 percent shooting over their previous eight games, held the Warriors without a field gold for six-plus minutes.
An NBA-best 20-3 start had concealed many of the Warriors’ warts.
Because it was winning, Golden State hardly needed to fret about its inconsistent defense, underwhelming bench or tendency not to box out.