Warriors 113-104 win vs. Minnesota seals first win streak of 2019

The Warriors sealed their first pair of back-to-back wins after beating Minnesota 113-104 in Chase Center Monday night.

For the first time in the 2019-20 season, the Golden State Warriors have won back-to-back games. The Warriors held out against the Minnesota Timberwolves for a 113-104 win to seal their first pair of consecutive wins all season. Heading into tonight, Golden State was the only team in the NBA without back-to-back wins.

At one point, this game looked over, with Golden State holding down a 20-point plus lead in the third quarter, but some sloppy turnovers opened the door for Minnesota to sneak back into the game. With a little back-and-forth in the final period, the Warriors were able to hold off Minnesota and close out the game on multiple free throws late.

The Warriors tandem of D’Angelo Russell and Alec Burks carried the team throughout the night, combining for 55 of the Warriors points. Draymond Green added 14 rebounds himself in the contest. Andrew Wiggins and Jordan McLaughlin paced the Timberwolves, adding 41 combined points, but it was not enough to complete the comeback.

Heading into a Christmas Day matchup against the Houston Rockets, the Warriors are no-longer at the bottom of the NBA standings, as they moved past the Atlanta Hawks and officially hold a winning streak.

D-Lo vs. Minnesota

Russell was once linked to the Timberwolves over the offseason, but Golden State swooped in with a max-contract before they could close the deal. So, there’s no reason for Russell to take revenge against a team he never played for, still, after two games against Minnesota this season, the All-Star guard looks like he’s playing with some extra juice.

Russell had a career night when the Dubs traveled to Minnesota in early November, laying 52-points on the T-Wolves in an overtime loss. Russell continues his hot play versus Minnesota, adding 30 points, four assists, and five three-pointers.

For those counting at home, that’s 82 points combined for Russell in two games against Minnesota.

Alec Burks Train Rolling

NBA journeyman, Burks has been on a tear for the Warriors over his past seven games. averaging 18.6 points per game in that span. Against Minnesota, he may have registered his best game as a Warrior, tallying 25 points, with eight assists on 50 percent shooting from beyond the arc. Burks’ eight assists were a season-high and only one off his career-best.

Burks’ stat-line doesn’t show how important he was to this game. When the game tilted towards Minnesota, Burks steadied the Warriors lineup. Burks hit a pair of timely shots, including a corner three-pointer to extend the Warriors’ lead.