by What We Learned When Dubs Lost Lead Loses To Timberwolves In OT Originally Appeared On NBC Sports Bayarea
The Warriors sure know drama. Wednesday night at the Target Center, they were on the receiving end in a 119-114 overtime loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Leading by as many as 14 points and going into the fourth quarter leading by 11, the Warriors were swept 37-21 in the fourth quarter and overtime. They scored 71 points in the first half and just 43 points after halftime.
Steph Curry scored 21 of his 29 points in the first half. Though he grabbed 10 rebounds for a third straight double-double, Curry slumped down the stretch. The Warriors had seven players in double figures, but they were too sloppy on the ball.
After turning the ball over just five times in the first half, the Warriors turned the ball over six times in the fourth and 17 times overall. The Timberwolves converted them on 24 points and attempted 15 more shots than Golden State.
Here are three takeaways from the Warriors who lost a tough one to start a crucial back-to-back.
Steph’s hard ending
It looked like Curry was gearing up for a big night. He scored 13 points in the first quarter and had 21 going into halftime. Then everything went wrong.
Through the first two quarters, Curry was 5-of-8 from the field, 5-of-7 from depth and hit all six of his free throws. If only it continued.
Over the next two quarters and in overtime, Curry scored just eight points going 3-of-13 from the field, missing all five of his 3-pointers and was 2-of-3 on free throws. He’s been low all night, mostly from the mid range.
Curry will be pushing to play Thursday in Denver, but after 43 minutes of loss he could lose that discussion.
Freebies
Whether it was a message passed on by players and coaches, or perhaps just by accident, the Warriors finally helped themselves to the free throw line. Coming into Wednesday night, the Warriors ranked last place in free throw attempts per game (20.4) and 29 in goals (16.2). At halftime in Minnesota, the Warriors were 18 for 20 on the line.
They finished 27 of 34 from the line, numbers that don’t even seem possible given how this season has gone. That marks a season-high in free throws made and he has failed two on attempts. The Warriors have hit 30 free throws or two this season.
Seven Warriors got to the line and six made free throws. While the final score was not in their favor, this is a trend that must continue.
Love for Looney
At this point, there’s no question. The Warriors will start small when healthy, pushing Kevon Looney to the bench. This isn’t a demotion for the big man, though.
Instead, it’s another example of how much Kerr trusts the veteran center. Wednesday was another example of why.
Looney played 28 minutes and it was a team record plus 12 plus/minus. He scored 20 points on 4-of-5 shooting and added nine rebounds. The Warriors were a better unit with him on the floor.
The starting lineup together was minus 10 together in over 16 minutes. Trading Looney for Poole, that same drive was a plus-13 over eight minutes. Regardless of his role, Looney will be ready to shine.
