What we learned as Steph, TJD, Podz lead Warriors’ win over Wolves

What we learned as Steph, TJD, Podz lead Warriors’ win over Wolves originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

After the Warriors led the Timberwolves throughout the first half and into the second Saturday night in Minnesota, they once again faced their most frequent demons.

Would they squander another double-digit lead in the second half?

Stephen Curry responded, scoring 13 points within the final 3:38 two securing a 113-103 victory it gives Golden State its second win in 16 days, with both coming against Minnesota.

Five Warriors scored in double figures, with Curry finishing with a game-high 31 and adding 10 assists. Brandin Podziemski (12 points), Jonathan Kuminga (11) and Buddy Hield (11) combined for 34 of Golden State’s 46 bench points.

Trayce Jackson-Davis, making his first start this month, finished with 15 points and nine rebounds.

Here are three observations from a feel-good win for the Warriors:

Sixteenth lineup is OK in the short term

Coach Steve Kerr continues to tinker with lineups, sometimes because of injuries and sometimes out of sheer desperation. When Draymond Green, listed as questionable with left ankle soreness, was ruled out after his pregame warmups, it was time to huddle again.

Golden State opened with its 16th starting lineup of the season: Dennis Schröder and Curry at guard, Andrew Wiggins and Kyle Anderson at forward, with Jackson-Davis at center. It was Anderson’s first start of the season; he was the only player in the rotation who had not made at least one start.

It worked well in the first half as the Warriors led from the opening tip, went up by as many as 21 points and took a 13-point halftime lead. Jackson-Davis was particularly effective early, producing six points, six rebounds and two blocks in the first six minutes.

The same lineup opened the second half but was ineffective against the rallying Timberwolves. The first-half lead was wiped out in less than eight minutes as Minnesota’s increased determination led to 71.4 percent shooting in the third quarter.

The mixed results indicate that there will almost certainly be another lineup, likely as early as Monday.

Solid early defense even without Draymond

Although Green was “doubtful” on the injury report with left ankle soreness, Kerr was hopeful — until Draymond’s pregame warmup convinced the Warriors he should sit.

So much for setting an early defensive tone, right?

Well, no.

The Warriors held Minnesota to a field goal over the first four minutes and closed the first quarter with a 13-5 run to take a 26-15 lead. They kept at it in the second quarter, going on a 10-0 run in the first four minutes.

The Timberwolves missed 14 consecutive shots while going more than seven minutes without a bucket. The Warriors during that span outscored the Timberwolves 16-0 and limited them to 27.3 percent shooting, including 23.5 percent from deep, in the first half.

During the first 24 minutes, the Warriors played some of their best defense of the season. That they did it without Draymond has to be encouraging.

Schröder, game 2

Schröder’s Golden State debut was so forgettable for himself and his new team that his second game had to be an improvement. That was it. Little.

Again starting at point guard, allowing Curry to spend more minutes off the ball, Schröder looked more comfortable teammates with whom he joined five days ago. He wasn’t sharp, but he was more confident in his movements and showed more eagerness to communicate.

Schröder finished with nine points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field, including 0-of-4 from beyond the arc, with three assists and two rebounds. He had three turnovers and was minus-9 over 27 minutes.

Schröder is getting closer to better coordination with his teammates. When that happens, his offensive production should follow.

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