Timberwolves blitz Warriors in first game of new decade, 99-84

Lack of three-point shooting hurts the Warriors in their attempt to steal a win in the first game of 2020 in Minnesota.

2020 started much how 2019 ended for the Golden State Warriors— a loss with a limited bench. For the second straight game, the Warriors were without D’Angelo Russell (shoulder), Willie Cauley-Stein (illness), Kevon Looney (abdomen) and it showed.

The Warriors have battled with Minnesota in their first two meetings, in the final matchup of the season, it was a different story. The Timberwolves dominated the shorthanded Dubs to start their 2020 with a lopsided loss, 99-84.

The Timberwolves have struggled from three-point range this season, yet they were able to outshoot Golden State from downtown by a wide margin. Minnesota shot 13-43 from three, while the Warriors only made three total three-pointers on 20 attempts.

Similar to beyond the arc, Minnesota dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Warriors 52-43. Minnesota especially hurt the Warriors on the offensive glass, stealing 17 offensive boards to Golden State’s seven.

The Warriors will have another chance to grab their first win of 2020 over the weekend when the Detroit Pistons travel to Chase Center for the first time.

Slow out of the gate 

The Warriors started the game on a downwards trajectory, getting outscored 34-19 in the first period of the game. Two Timberwolves, Josh Okogie and Shabazz Napier almost combined to outscore the entire Warriors roster in the first quarter. At the same time, Golden State’s leading scorer, Alec Burks, only registered five points.

The Warriors couldn’t stop the Timberwolves scoring in the first quarter with Minnesota shooting 50 percent from the field on 13-of-26 shooting while adding four three-pointers, more than Golden State had all game.

Omari Spellman shakes the earth 

While it was a sloppy game overall for the Golden State Warriors, Omari Spellman provided one of the highlights of the season in the fourth quarter.

The Villanova product caught the ball at the three-point line and used a shot fake to drive the lane then slammed down a vicious one-handed dunk over former Warrior, Jordan Bell.

Bell fouled Spellman trying to go for a block, giving the Warriors the chance to cut the Timberwolves lead down to single digits. Golden State couldn’t complete the comeback, but Spellman’s dunk provided a moment that will get shown on repeat on sports highlight shows across the country.

Smailagic tracker

Alen Smailagic played in his fourth straight NBA game registering 16 minutes against the Timberwolves. Smailagic had seven points, three rebounds, a steal and an assist, registering a team-high plus nine in Minnesota.

Each time the 19-year old Serbian is on the floor, he flashes a new skill, with tonight being his passing ability. Smailagic drove into the lane and found a rolling Eric Paschall for an easy dunk.