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If you haven’t heard, the reigning Western Conference champions have figured it out.
The Golden State Warriors snapped a five game losing streak with a riveting win over the New Orleans Pelicans last Friday night at Chase Center. CLEARLY, they have unlocked the secrets to winning basketball games without the Splash Bros.
Their first challenge of this brave, new, six-win world, will be to defeat those pesky Minnesota Timberwolves.
GAME DETAILS
WHO: Golden State Warriors (6-24) vs Minnesota Timberwolves (10-18)
WHEN: Monday, December 23, 2019; 7:30 pm
WHERE: Chase Center, San Francisco, CA
WATCH: NBC Sports Bay Area
Blog buddy: Canis Hoopus
The last time we saw Minnesota, the li’l Splash Cousin D’Angelo Russell erupted for 52 points on wolf ground in the Target Center.
What a thrilling game ‘twas, with Russell nearly singlehandedly keeping Golden State in the despite plenty of suspect play. But, as usual this season, the game concluded with another L for the Dubs, 125-119 in overtime.
The Warriors do not like losing. You don’t become the freakin’ franchise of the decade if you’re okay with losing. Warriors fans don’t like losing either (even if it carries the promise of a beautiful #1 draft pick). Dub Nation has willed crappier teams than this to victories in ye olde Oracle days.
It’s been a tough season but our fans are there for us every night. Best fans in the NBA! https://t.co/qEmo2SOxR0
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) December 21, 2019
After running out 9-man rosters for several games, the Warriors finally have a smidgen of depth to play around with that is taking some getting used to by head coach Steve Kerr. Kevon Looney in particular has had a slow acclimation process after missing several weeks with injury. I thought he wasn’t going to play at all last game before Kerr inserting him during the fourth quarter to seal some holes in the Warriors leaky defense.
Loon’s six minute spurt changed the flow of the game into Golden State’s favor, and the Warriors will need more of that, especially if Minnesota’s star center Karl-Anthony Towns plays.
Big KAT’s status in question while dealing with a left knee sprain. Per the fantasy sports resource Rotoworld:
KAT has missed the past three games, and with the Wolves currently on a 10-game losing streak, he’s probably in no rush to get back out there. We’ll have a better idea on his status following tomorrow’s shootaround, but if he’s out again, Gorgui Dieng will make for an attractive streamer with a favorable matchup against the Warriors.
Dieng is a bruiser, and it’ll take the combined efforts of Loon and Willie Cauley-Stein to keep the Timberwolves from hounding the Dubs in the paint.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot: THE WARRIORS NEED TO GUARD ANDREW WIGGINS. He’s the guy who dropped 40 on them last time, along with 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. This game was so epic for him, when I typed in “Andrew Wiggins” into YouTube, this game highlight was third on the list. SMH.
Dub Nation, the Warriors need your heart and your good vibes more than ever. Let’s give our squad some holiday cheer tomorrow night in Chase, and let’s get a W!