With David Lee out of the Golden State Warriors lineup the team had struggled losing four straight and six out of the last seven games with him out with the infected elbow suffered against the New York Knicks.
For the Warriors the team got great news as Lee who was a game time decision against the Minnesota Timberwolves was in the starting lineup and provided a huge boost. Though his numbers for the night weren't big he went 5-15 from the field had 10 points and six rebounds, but he did play solid defense on Kevin Love in the second half.
The Warriors got off to a strong start taking a 25-15 lead in the first quarter only to see the lead evaporate as Michael Beasley got hot hitting five shots in a row for the Timberwolves and the Warriors eventually gave up the lead in the second half.
Andris Biedrins coming off his career game against the Memphis Grizzlies was not as big of a factor offensively, but in the first half had 10 rebounds matching Love. Like most nights Biedrins did get into foul trouble picking up four in the first half alone.
He picked up his fourth on a three point attempt by Love with just six seconds left in the half. It was a questionable call by Keith Smart to put Biedrins into the situation where he could pick up his fourth foul because at one point he had 10 of the 12 total rebounds by the Warriors.
With the three throws made by Love the Timerwolves took a three point half time lead 51-48. That lead didn't last long for the Timberwolves as the Warriors opened up the third period with Ellis creating open looks for Wright in the corner.
With the threes dropping for Wright the Timberwolves were forced to respect Wright from the outside which left Dan Gadzuric open for three dunks. The defense by the Warriors was suffocating and the Timberwolves turned the ball over and managed only 17 points in the third period.
In the fourth Curry picked up his fifth foul and was forced to sit and the Timberwolves made a little run on the Warriors cutting a 16 point lead down to nine, but were not able to get any closer.
Biedrins made a return to action in the fourth quarter was able to contributed a layup for his only points of the game and finished with 12 rebounds. Reggie Williams made his mark in the fourth hitting a jumper and also scoring by driving to the basket.
Curry returned to the lineup with a few minutes remaining in the game and hit the game sealing jumper with under 30 seconds left in the game. The Warriors ended up defeating the Timberwolves 104-94.
Even though the Timberwolves out rebounded the Warriors by 23, it was the three point shooting by the Warriors that was the difference. The Timberwolves made five threes compared to 12 by the Warriors.
Wright ended the game with a career high 30 points and setting a Warriors franchise record with nine three pointers made, Ellis contributed big with 26 points, 10 assists, 7 steals, 4 rebounds, and Curry who didn't attempt many shots but made them when it counted finished with 20 points and 7 assists.
Love came up huge again for the Timberwolves finishing with 21 points and 22 rebounds. Beasley who started slow, got hot, and then faded finished with 28 points and 9 rebounds, and Luke Ridnour had 16 points and 6 assists.
