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Saturday, Nov. 25 10:30pm ET
Sura's return keys Warriors' victory

RECAP | BOX SCORE | GAME FLOW

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- The Golden State Warriors are beginning to feel relief now that Bob Sura is back in the starting lineup.

Erick Dampier
Timberwolves guard Chauncey Billups tries to pass around the Warriors' Erick Dampier.
Antawn Jamison and Larry Hughes each scored 18 points Saturday night as the Golden State Warriors snapped a two-game losing streak by defeating the Minnesota Timberwolves 114-93.

It was Golden State's highest point total of the season.

Kevin Garnett recorded his 10th double-double of the season with 22 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Timberwolves, who lost their second straight after a five-game winning streak. William Avery added 12 points for Minnesota.

Sura, a veteran point guard who missed the first 10 games with a strained lower back, has spread the scoring wealth for the Warriors.

"Sura has a couple of games under his belt now and he's getting the ball to the right people," Warriors' coach Dave Cowens said. "He's energizing the team."

Sura had seven assists to go with 11 points, Chris Mills had 17 points and Mookie Blaylock added 14 for the Warriors, who easily recorded their largest margin of victory on the year and reached 100 points for the first time in nine games.

"He's a very good creator with the ball," Mills said of Sura. "He's thinking pass first and shot second."

Said Sura: "We're getting better each game. We played our best game of the year. There was a lot of energy. We have to try to keep up the pace."

Golden State took an 82-58 lead into the fourth quarter by outscoring the Timberwolves 26-19 in the third quarter as Mills scored 11 of his points. The Warriors led by as many as 31 points, 82-51, following a Mills three-point play with 1:27 left in the period.

"We got our butts kicked," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "We looked sluggish. They played more aggressive than we did. They did everything right."

The Warriors took a 25-11 lead eight minutes into the game, highlighted by 11 points from Jamison, and maintained a double-digit lead the rest of the way. The 32 points they scored in the first quarter were two off their season high set in their season opener.

"A lot of guys led by example," said Jamison. "They were unselfish, played defense and looked for the open man. We have to continue with this because this is the type of team we can beat."

Minnesota's play was so uninspired, with the exception of Garnett, who had 10 points and nine rebounds in the first half, that not even a technical foul on coach Flip Sanders at 5:11 of the second quarter could muster much enthusiasm. The Timberwolves went scoreless the last 2:14 of the half, then went nearly five minutes into the third quarter before scoring again.

Golden State, which averages fewer than 42 points in the first half, took a 56-39 lead at halftime. It was the most points the Warriors have scored in the first half all season.

Game notes
Minnesota guard Terrell Brandon entered the game averaging 22.8 points a game on the road, and 10.3 at home. ... The Timberwolves lead the NBA in 3-point accuracy at 40.7 percent. ... The Warriors averaged 86.5 points in their previous eight games. ... Golden State's Chris Mullin did not dress for the game because of a sore left knee. ... The 18 points Minnesota scored in the first quarter matched a season low for Warriors' opponents.
NBA Scoreboard

Minnesota Clubhouse

Golden State Clubhouse

RECAPS
Toronto 79
New York 75

Charlotte 109
Cleveland 98

Houston 91
Miami 80

Orlando 114
Atlanta 92

Dallas 108
Denver 84

Washington 107
Milwaukee 100

San Antonio 96
Philadelphia 76

Portland 86
New Jersey 84

Golden State 114
Minnesota 93

Phoenix 95
LA Clippers 89

Sacramento 125
Seattle 101


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