Warriors Need Big Boost From Bench Against T'Wolves

Update (11:24 a.m.): Insider Monte Poole has learned Andre Iguodala will not play against the T'Wolves.

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The Warriors are hopeful Andre Iguodala can return to the rotation Sunday afternoon when they face the Timberwolves at Target Center in Minneapolis.

Pregame coverage on NBC Sports Bay Area begins at 11:30 a.m., with postgame coverage immediately following the final horn. The game telecast is on ABC.

In losing to the Trail Blazers on Friday in Portland, the Warriors (51-15) were without five rotation players, including Iguodala, but the veteran forward who has missed the last two games was upgraded to questionable for Sunday.

Since losing All-Star wing Jimmy Butler on Feb. 23, Minnesota (38-29) has lost four of six, with the only wins coming over the lottery-bound Kings and Bulls.

BETTING LINE

Warriors by 4.5

MATCHUP TO WATCH

JaVale McGee & Co. vs. Karl-Anthony Towns: KAT is having another stellar season and is averaging 21.3 points (on 53.7 percent shooting) and 12.5 rebounds in six games since the break. He's effective both in the paint and from deep. McGee has started the last nine games and likely will get the first shot at Towns, but expect several others, including Draymond Green and maybe Kevin Durant, to take turns.

INJURY REPORT

Warriors: G Quinn Cook (R hand contusion) questionable/ F Andre Iguodala (L wrist sprain), F/G Jordan Bell (R ankle sprain), G Stephen Curry (R ankle tweak), G Pat McCaw (L wrist fracture) and F/C David West (R arm cyst) are listed as out.

Timberwolves: G Jimmy Butler (R knee surgery) is listed as out.

LAST 10

Warriors: 8-2.

Timberwolves: 4-6.

GAME OFFICIALS

Mike Callahan (crew chief), Nick Buchert, Scott Wall

SERIES HISTORY

The Warriors won the first two of three meetings this season, 125-101 on Nov. 8 in Oakland and 126-113 on Jan. 25 in Oakland. The Warriors won three of four meetings last season and are 11-2 against Minnesota in the Steve Kerr era.

THREE THINGS TO WATCH

THE ROTATION GAME: If Iguodala can play, it solves several problems for coach Steve Kerr. It improves overall defense and ball movement while also providing perfect platoon with Shaun Livingston. If Iguodala is out (and Cook, also questionable, is out) it puts more of a playmaking burden on Green and Durant. That's less than ideal.

THE BENCH CREW: After getting roasted in most every way in Portland, the sub club needs to bounce back. An Iguodala return would provide an immediate boost. It'll be a long day for the Warriors if Nick Young isn't cooking for them and Jamal Crawford is ripping the nets for the Wolves.

OPPORTUNTIES FOR KLAY: In eight games since the All-Star break, Klay Thompson is averaging 17.5 ppg, shooting 38.8 percent from deep and has topped 20 points only twice. With Curry out, it's imperative that he bears more of the scoring burden. He'll have his chances against a Minnesota defense ranked 25th in the NBA.

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