NBA: Game Preview #23 – Timberwolves at Warriors

Minnesota Timberwolves on Golden State Warriors
Date: 8 December 2024
Time: 7:30 p.m. CST
Location: Chase Center
TV coverage: FanDuel Sports Network North
Radio Coverage: Wolves App/iHeart Radio

The Wolves are rolling: Can they sweep Golden State and extend their winning streak?

Beginning in December with a dominant 3-0 run, the Wolves have posted wins of 29, 28 and 17 points against LakersClippers and Warriors. And now they’re headed back to the Chase Center to take on Golden State for the second time in three days. It’s the kind of streak Wolves fans have been waiting for, but the question remains: can they sustain it?

Friday’s 17-point win over the Warriors wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Over the past three games, Minnesota has looked cohesive, aggressive and energetic in a way we haven’t seen since last season’s playoffs. This is not the sloppy, disconnected team that stumbled through November. This is a team that plays with purpose, thanks in no small part to Anthony Edwards’ fiery Thanksgiving critique that seems to have lit a fire under the entire locker room.

But before we get too comfortable, it’s worth acknowledging that the scheduling gods have been kind. Each of the Wolves’ last three opponents were in a back-to-back the other night, with heavy legs and long flights catching up to them. Tomorrow evening the playing field will be even, as both teams will be well rested. If the Wolves can repeat their defensive intensity and disciplined play, they will have a good shot to sweep San Francisco in two games and extend their winning streak to five games.

What has changed for the wolves?

Let’s start with the defense. During their four-game losing streak in late November, the Wolves looked disjointed and flat. Opponents waltzed into the paint and transition buckets came easily. Fast forward to this streak and it’s like watching a completely different team. Rudy Gobert is back to being the defensive anchor we know he can be. The hustle and energy across the board has been contagious, and the Wolves are keeping their opponents at bay for long stretches.

Offensively, the Wolves are finally moving the ball. Gone are the stagnant, iso-heavy possessions that made every Wolves fan want to pull their hair out. Instead, we see sharp passes, smart shot selection and – most importantly – shots that actually fall. Donte DiVincenzo, Mike Conley and Jaden McDaniels have rediscovered their three-point stroke, and Julius Randle is back to knocking down triples after his own slump. Combine that with the continued brilliance of Anthony Edwards and you have a recipe for success.

Keys to the rematch

1. Keep the defensive intensity

Defense has been the Wolves’ calling card in this series, and it must remain so. The Warriors lack depth behind Steph Curry, Draymond Green and Jonathan Kuminga. If Minnesota can stifle Curry’s offense and keep the supporting cast quiet, they’ll be in good shape.

2. Limit turnover

The Wolves have done a better job of protecting the ball during their streak, but they are not flawless. Friday’s win over Golden State still had a fair share of turnovers, but crucially, they didn’t lead to easy transitions. Minnesota can’t afford to give the Warriors free points, especially on their home court.

3. Shooters Need to Stay Hot

Minnesota’s shooting has been revived. DiVincenzo, McDaniels and Conley are hitting from deep, and Anthony Edwards continues his league-leading injury beyond the arc as well. If the threes keep falling, the Wolves can stretch the floor and keep the Warriors’ defense in play.

4. Dominate the paint

Even without Karl-Anthony Towns, the Wolves have a clear size advantage over the Warriors. Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid must continue to own the boards and make life miserable for Golden State inside. Draymond Green will try to stir things up (because of course he will), but the Wolves have the personnel to neutralize him.

What is at stake?

This isn’t just about extending a winning streak. The Wolves are 12-10, while the Warriors sit at 13-9. A win tomorrow night would tie the two teams in the standings, but Minnesota would hold the edge thanks to leading the head-to-head series. Just a week ago, the Wolves were languishing outside the play-in picture and the Warriors were sitting atop the conference. But with the standings so tight, the Wolves were suddenly within striking distance of a top-4 seed.

The West is a battleground this year. With evenly matched teams all jostling for position, going on a hot streak can make all the difference. The Wolves have already flipped the script on what looked like a disappointing season, but they can’t afford not to. Beating Golden State again would send a clear message to the rest of the league: Minnesota is back.

Final thoughts

The turn of the wolves in December has been nothing short of exciting. They are playing like the team we all knew they could be – active, disciplined and relentless. But the Warriors won’t roll over on their home court, and you can bet Steve Kerr will make adjustments to avoid a back-to-back sweep.

It’s going to come down to crowding, defense and shots. If Minnesota stays focused and plays like they have in the last three games, they should come out on top. And let’s be honest – there’s a little extra motivation when it’s the Warriors. After years of Golden State dominance, there is something deeply satisfying about seeing the Wolves gain the upper hand.

This is a crucial stretch for Minnesota. They have turned a corner, but the work is not done. Let’s see if they can keep rolling, take down Golden State again and head back to Minnesota with their heads held high – and a five-game winning streak in tow.