Final
Warriors clinch postseason berth with win over T'Wolves
Apr 10, 2013 - 7:30 AM Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Klay Thompson and Stephen Curry both came up huge as the Golden State Warriors secured their spot in the 2013 NBA Playoffs with a 105-89 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Oracle Arena.Thompson poured in 30 points and Curry registered a double-double with 24 points and 10 assists in the contest. David Lee posted a double-double with 15 points and 12 boards while Harrison Barnes notched one of his own with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Golden State has not been to the postseason since the 2006-07 season. The Warriors improved to 27-12 at home in front of Oracle Arena's 30th consecutive sell out crowd.
"It means everything," said Curry on the team making the playoffs. "Just listen to this crowd. You guys are the best fans in the NBA and you deserve this as much as we do."
Chase Budinger paced the Timberwolves with 17 points off the bench. Andre Kirilenko had 15 points, but Minnesota had trouble keeping up as Ricky Rubio finished 0-of-10 from the field. Nikola Pekovic, who had averaged 25 points and 8.5 rebounds per game over his previous four outings, was limited to five points and seven rebounds in the setback.
"Its tough, especially when they get hot," said Budinger. "It kind of spreads our defense out because you really start watching those guys and then your weakside falls apart."
Golden State outscored Minnesota, 34-30, in the paint and also, 20-11, in fastbreak points.
Thompson came out firing and hit on all five of his field goal attempts, including two from beyond the arc en route to 12 first quarter points. Kirilenko and Luke Ridnour netted six points apiece for the Timberwolves as the game progressed into the second quarter tied up at 26.
The Warriors continued to ride Thompson, who pumped in 13 second quarter points. Budinger and Dante Cunningham scored seven points off the bench to help Minnesota take a 54-50 lead with just over a minute remaining before halftime. Lee helped the hosts take the lead before the break as he had a putback layup, steal and assist to Barnes for a dunk in the final 30 seconds. Lee's late burst sent the Warriors into the intermission ahead, 55-54.
Golden State used 23-8 run in third quarter to pull away. Curry scored 13 in the period while Minnesota made only 4-of-19 field goal tries.
The Warriors led by a double-digit margin for the entire length of the fourth quarter.
Game Notes
J.J. Barea scored 13 points and Dante Cunningham had 11 for Minnesota ... Andrew Bogut set new season-highs with 14 rebounds and 13 defensive rebounds ... With the win, the Warriors completed the season series sweep of Minnesota and have won 12 of the last 14 matchups between the Western Conference foes ... Rubio was listed as questionable with a sore left shoulder prior to the game ... The Timberwolves had won their last three road games coming into Tuesday.
- MINNESOTA: 89
GOLDEN STATE: 105
Final
Apr 10 12:46 AM - MINNESOTA: 70
GOLDEN STATE: 86
End of 3rd
Apr 10 12:23 AM - 121
rootsRUWTbot Added 8 roots (Individual Performance)
Timberwolves 60, Warriors 63 3rd - 7:26Apr 10 12:00 AM - 113
rootsRUWTbot Added 8 roots (Individual Performance)
Timberwolves 60, Warriors 59 3rd - 8:12Apr 10 12:00 AM - 105
roots - 97
rootsRUWTbot Added 8 roots (Individual Performance)
Timberwolves 56, Warriors 55 3rd - 10:59Apr 9 11:57 PM - MINNESOTA: 54
GOLDEN STATE: 55
Halftime
Apr 9 11:36 PM - MINNESOTA: 26
GOLDEN STATE: 26
End of 1st
Apr 9 11:05 PM - MINNESOTA: 2
GOLDEN STATE: 0
1st Quarter - 11:44
Apr 9 10:42 PM
Related News
- NBA Injury Updates: Karl Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons to Miss Significant Time Mar 7
- Steph Curry Sets Another NBA Record Feb 15
- Warriors Reportedly Attempted to Trade for LeBron James Feb 14
- Report: Draymond Green Set to Return to Warriors After Indefinite Suspension Jan 14
- Warriors Lose Chris Paul as Draymond Green Returns Jan 7
- Warriors’ Jonathan Kuminga Has ‘Lost Faith’ in Steve Kerr Jan 5
- Don’t look now: Andrew Wiggins is reminding everyone he’s still around Dec 25
- Warriors nearly overcome Steph Curry’s struggles in 120-114 loss to Nuggets Dec 25
- How to watch Warriors at Nuggets Dec 25
- Wolves 110, Kings 98: Ant Crowned the King Dec 24
- Highlighting Brandin Podziemski’s unprecedented feel as a Warriors rookie Dec 24
- How to watch Warriors vs. Trail Blazers Dec 23