Recap: Golden State vs. Minnesota
Sports Network | November 12, 2008
Oakland, CA (Sports Network) - Stephen Jackson had 30 points, including the shot that sent the game into overtime and two clutch shots in the extra frame, and five assists to lead the Golden State Warriors in a dramatic 113-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Kelenna Azubuike added 22 points and eight rebounds for the Warriors, who stopped a two-game slide. Andris Biedrins chipped in 13 points and 15 boards in the win, while Brandan Wright ended with 13 points and seven rebounds.
Al Jefferson poured in 25 points, grabbed 12 rebounds and had four steals for the Timberwolves, who have dropped each of their six games since a victory over Sacramento on opening night. Rashad McCants and Ryan Gomes both had 18 points in defeat, while Randy Foye had 15 points and eight assists.
During the extra stanza, McCants missed a game-tying jumper and Azubuike brought the ball down and hit Jackson on the top right portion of the arc. His three-pointer tickled the twine with 2:16 left for a 112-107 Warriors lead.
On Minnesota's ensuing possession, Gomes missed a baseline jumper and Mike Miller snagged the rebound. He passed to Foye, who was fouled by Biedrins, who in turn, fouled out. A 1-of-2 showing at the line by Foye made it 112-108.
After a Golden State timeout with 1:27 left, C.J. Watson was whistled for an offensive foul that gave Minnesota possession. Foye then hit a jumper to make it a two-point game.
Both teams missed on layups on their next possessions before Azubuike was fouled.
Following the whistle, the Warriors brought the ball down but Jackson's three missed as it caromed off the front iron. Miller nabbed the board, brought the ball down and hit McCants on the right wing. The pass, though, was too high and McCants couldn't corral the rock, leading to a scrum that saw Miller diving for ball and rolling out of bounds with it.
The Warriors got the ball with .5 ticks showing and, on the inbounds pass, Foye fouled Watson. He hit the first shot, but with .2 seconds left intentionally missed the second to let the clock expire for victory.
The T-Wolves missed 12 of their last 13 shots down the stretch.
The clubs played to a 27-27 tie after the first quarter.
With the score tied, Anthony Morrow's turn around jumper sparked a 10-0 run for the Warriors late in the second quarter. However, two free throws from McCants pulled the T-Wolves within 58-50 heading into the intermission.
The teams exchanged baskets before back-to-back shots from Jackson and Azubuike gave Golden State a 67-54 lead with 9:27 left in the third.
However, Minnesota immediately answered with a 23-6 run that gave the visitors the lead back. Kevin Love's layup sparked the surge and Gomes' tip-in off Love's missed layup closed it out with 3:41 left in the third stanza to make it 77-73.
The margin was still four points, 87-83, in favor of Minnesota heading into the final 12 minutes of play.
After Marco Belinelli's three-ball made it a one-point game, Jefferson and Gomes connected on layups, McCants hit a free throw and Jefferson hit a shot to make it 99-91.
Down nine points moments later, Biedrins hit a free throw, Wright hit a hook shot and Watson drained a jumper to make it 106-102. After a couple of wasted possessions, Gomes fouled Azubuike who hit both free throws to make it 106-104 with 81 seconds left in the contest.
With 39.9 ticks showing on the clock, the T-Wolves brought the ball upcourt, but McCants' layup was no good and Wright grabbed the rebound. He worked the ball down the other end and Jackson dropped in a layup to tie it up at 106.
Minnesota brought the ball to their end, worked it around and eventually hit McCants at the top of the arc. His last-second desperation three clanked off the back of the iron and the teams headed for overtime.
The T-Wolves shot 5-of-25 from three-point range...Warriors forwards Al Harrington (strained lower back) and Corey Maggette (strained left hamstring) did not play...Golden State has won six of seven...Minnesota's 37 points in the third was a season-high for a quarter.
