Golden State crushes Minnesota

Jason Richardson had 14 points, seven rebounds and eight assists for the Warriors, who are neck-and-neck with the Los Angeles Clippers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Andris Biedrins had nine points and 12 rebounds for Golden State, which has won five of its last six games.

Kevin Garnett finished with 19 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota, which has lost three of its last four games. Randy Foye added 20 points and seven assists for the Timberwolves, who have lost nine straight games on the road and are starting to fade in their chase for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Golden State limited Minnesota to 30.2 percent shooting from the field and forced 25 turnovers in the game.

A Biedrins tip-in sparked an 11-2 Golden State run to start the game as the Timberwolves missed their first seven shots. Minnesota, however, fought back and were able to cut the margin to 25-21 after one quarter.

The Timberwolves opened the second frame with six consecutive points, capped by a Rashad McCants dunk which put Minnesota ahead 27-25, but Golden State took the lead for good with a 15-5 run midway through the period and took a 56-43 advantage to the locker room. Mickael Pietrus hit two triples during the run.

Golden State ended any hope for Minnesota with a 16-7 spurt, capped by an Ellis alley-oop dunk with 6:44 remaining in the third stanza. The Warriors led 72-50 at that point and were never threatened thereafter.

Game Notes

Minnesota’s Trenton Hassell made his return to the lineup after a four-game absence due to a left ankle sprain. He finished scoreless in 11 minutes...Minnesota shot 3-of-19 from three-point range.