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Warriors seek fifth win in six games

Mar 16, 2007 - 2:58 PM Minnesota (28-35) at Golden State (30-36) 10:30 pm EST

OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- The Golden State Warriors seek their fifth win in six games when they host the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday.

Aiming for their first trip to the playoffs since 1993-1994, the Warriors have not been in the top eight in the Western Conference standings this late in the season since 1995-1996.

They are in a virtual tie with the Los Angeles Clippers (29-35) for the final playoff berth, one-half game in front of Minnesota.

Stephen Jackson has been one reason Golden State has been on the upswing. Acquired from the Indiana Pacers on January 17, Jackson is averaging 17.2 points, 6.7 assists and shooting nearly 46 percent (59-of-129) from the floor in his last nine games.

Jackson was among four players who scored 16 points and Mickael Pietrus had 20 to lead the Warriors to a stunning 117-100 triumph over the Dallas Mavericks on Monday.

The Timberwolves have dropped their last eight on the road.

The league's leading rebounder, Kevin Garnett is averaging 27.7 points and 10.7 boards in six games in March. However, Minnesota has failed to take advantage of his play, dropping eight of its last 11 contests.

Garnett scored 30 points for the Timberwolves in Monday's 86-81 victory over the Pacers. The Timberwolves won despite shooting just 38 percent (30-of-79).