Warriors at Timberwolves
The Golden State Warriors suddenly find themselves in a battle for the Western Conference's top seed due to a shaky stretch. Golden State is 6-7 over its past 13 games to fall into a first-place tie with the Denver Nuggets as it enters Tuesday's road contest against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Warriors are 2-1 on a four-game road trip after dropping a 111-105 decision to the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. "I was frustrated a little bit, our guys were a little frustrated," Golden State coach Steve Kerr told reporters after the setback, "but we have to bounce back. We have another game (Tuesday)." Minnesota is no longer in range to chase down a playoff berth and has lost by an average of 20.3 points during a three-game losing streak. "The odds are against us because a lot of guys are hurt and aren't able to play," small forward Andrew Wiggins told reporters of being 8 1/2 games behind the eighth-place Los Angeles Clippers with 12 games to play. "But everyone's role is to step up and keep fighting until the end."
TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (Golden State), FS North (Minnesota)
ABOUT THE WARRIORS (47-22): Center DeMarcus Cousins will likely miss his second straight game due to a right foot injury that he suffered during Saturday's victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder. Cousins underwent an MRI exam Monday and no serious damage was detected, leaving the club optimistic that his absence won't be a long one. All-Star small forward Kevin Durant looked pretty spry against the Spurs by scoring 24 points in 36 minutes after missing the previous two games with an ankle injury.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (32-38): Point guards Derrick Rose (elbow) and Jeff Teague (foot) missed all three games of the skid and Teague has already been ruled out against the Warriors. Rose is listed as doubtful with a decision slated for Tuesday but he certainly won't be 100 percent when it comes to matching up against Golden State All-Star Stephen Curry. Fill-in starter Tyus Jones missed all six of his shots while going scoreless in 29 minutes during Sunday's 117-102 loss to the Houston Rockets after averaging 13.7 points over the previous three games.
BUZZER BEATERS
1. The Warriors are 2-0 against the Timberwolves this season and have won 27 of the past 33 meetings.
2. Veteran C Andrew Bogut had seven points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes against the Spurs in his first game since rejoining the club after playing in his native Australia.
3. Minnesota All-Star C Karl-Anthony Towns is averaging 32.8 points in 10 appearances since the All-Star break.