The Golden State Warriors have won five of their last six games heading into the All-Star break, the latest coming in a 89-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. The Minnesota Timberwolves are playing much better of late, winning three of their last four games, but are coming off a 117-105 loss to the Atlanta Hawks.
Golden State won the first two matchups of the year between these two teams - 102-86 victory on December 8 and a 110-97 win on December 27.
Projected Starting Lineups
Golden State Warriors (41-9)
G Stephen Curry – 23.6 ppg, 7.9 apg, 2.1 spg
G Klay Thompson – 22.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg
F Harrison Barnes – 10.4 ppg, 5.7 rpg
F Draymond Green – 11.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg
C Andrew Bogut– 6.5 ppg, 8.3 rpg
Minnesota Timberwolves (11-41)
G Ricky Rubio –10.0 ppg, 8.1 apg
G Kevin Martin – 20.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg
F Andrew Wiggins – 15.4 ppg, 4.3 rpg
F Thaddeus Young – 14.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg
C Nikola Pekovic – 13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg
What to watch for:
Will Golden State play with enough intensity to win?
The Warriors looked disinterested in their narrow victory over the Sixers on Monday, and appear to be waiting for the All-Star break to refocus themselves. Head coach Steve Kerr even said his team was "emotionally fried", and Minnesota wants to finish the first half of their season with a big win over the NBA title favorites. They'll be playing energized basketball in front of their home crowd, and Golden State has to match that to win.
Prediction: Warriors win 112-96
Minnesota will take an early lead while Golden State sleepwalks through the first quarter, but being in a close game will wake them up. They'll turn it on from that point and win easily.
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