Game 26, Preview: Warriors @ Timberwolves

Golden State (14-11), 7th West/3rd Pacific




@


Minnesota (3-20), 15th West/5th Northwest





Time: 5:00pm PST
TV: FSN BA
Radio: 680 AM
Line: Warriors - 7.5


After defeating the Memphis Grizzlies, the Golden State Warriors take on another Western Conference foe with a less than stellar record. The Garnett-less Minnesota Timberwolves have sunk to the bottom of the NBA with only three victories this season. It will be weird for the Warriors to go into the Target Center, suit up for the game, warm up, and look across the court to see that the man in the number 5 jersey is some kid in an old Garnett jersey. Where KG at? Oh, I remember, their dimwitted GM decided to purge the future of the franchise he's working for now to create possible one of the greatest teams for the franchise he used to play for, the Boston Celtics. Good one, Kevin. McHale to Ainge(GM of the Celtics) for the score, Celtics Win! Some things just never change.

That's exactly the face we all made when you made that trade.

Jokes aside, there is a basketball game still to be played and though the T-Wolves don't have Garnett, they still have a pool of young talent headed center Al Jefferson and guard Rashad McCants. Randy Foye, who's been out indefinitely because of a knee injury has yet to contribute this season and rookie Corey Brewer has been inconsistent so far. The Warriors will have to watch out for Al Jefferson who averages a double-double and could dominated the glass if Biedrins isn't up to par. The T-Wolves got the most value out of the KG trade through Al Jefferson and though they aren't winning many games, Minnesota is happy to have a young center to build around. If he has a good game, the Wolves are never out of any contest.

What Golden State must do to win this game is maintain their advantages. The Dubs are better than the Timberwolves in rebounding(47.8-41.2), assists(23.4-22.1), and field goal percentage(46.4-45.9.) If the Warriors can maintain this theme in the game, then they should have very little trouble putting away the worst team in the league. That is unless, KG walks back through that door, but my sources say that's unlikely. His gig in Boston is much better. Expect BoomDizzle to have a good game as I don't think Sebastian Telfair can guard Davis or anyone for that matter. And if Biedrins seems he can't handle Jefferson, watch Harrington come in to make the Warriors go small and push the break.He needs to build on last game's performance with another strong outing. Even if the T-Wolves may be a young quick team, the Warriors should outsmart and out-hustle them.

Put that mouthpiece back in BDiddy, it's time to get back to work.

So in summary the gameplan for the Dubs:

- Rebound and push the break, as always.
- Stop Al Jefferson, or maybe just limit him.
- Take advantage of matchups: Baron vs. Telfair,

And here's the outlook on the DubTown Forecast:

- Harrington has a great game: 23 points, 7 rebounds
- Azubuike goes baseline twice and finishes with dunks
- Biedrins has more fouls than points.
- Antoine Walker makes a three then does his stupid shimmy dance, yuck!

The Man = Can't go wrong with picking Davis even though he hasn't been the man lately.
Statline: 29 points, 9 assists, 4 steals
Potential Warrior Killer = Al Jefferson. Dubs need to guard him or else he's in for a big game
Statline: 22 points, 12 rebounds, 2 blocks

Result: Warriors: 112 T-Wolves: 101

Let's go Dubs!