Timberwolves-Warriors Preview

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Golden State Warriors had two of the worst records in the NBA last season. Not much has changed in the first two weeks of 2009-10.

The Timberwolves look to snap a six-game slide Monday night when they visit the Warriors, hoping to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Minnesota (1-6) finished last season with a 24-58 record and missed the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year, and Golden State wasn't much better at 29-53 after posting winning marks in each of the previous two seasons.

The Timberwolves got off to a positive start to 2009-10, beating New Jersey 95-93 on Oct. 28. However, they've lost six in a row after falling 116-93 at Portland on Sunday. They haven't had a longer losing streak since dropping seven straight from March 17-27, a skid that was still six losses shy of their season-high.

"We really didn't come out with a good effort," guard Corey Brewer said after scoring 12 points against the Blazers. "Everybody says 'we're young, we're this, we're that,' but we can't come in and play like this."

Minnesota has been outscored by an average of 11.3 points during the slide. It ranks towards the bottom of the league with 91.3 points per game, even lower than its 97.8 scoring average from last season.

The Warriors (1-4) aren't having too many problems scoring, averaging 103.6 points after finishing second in the NBA with 108.6 last season. However, they continue to be the worst defensive team in the league, giving up 114.8 points per game after allowing 112.3 in 2008-09.

Golden State's defensive woes continued Sunday in a 120-107 loss at Sacramento, two nights after falling 118-90 to the Los Angeles Clippers at home.

"Another beat down, what can I say?" swingman Stephen Jackson said after scoring 21 points against the Kings. "It is just all bad right now. We've got a lot of work to do."

The Warriors' lone victory came Wednesday, when they won 113-105 over Memphis, which is tied with Minnesota and Golden State for the fewest wins in the Western Conference.

If Golden State is going to take advantage of another lowly opponent, it could use a better performance from Monta Ellis, the team's leader with averages of 18.4 points and 6.2 assists.

Ellis scored a season-low nine points and went 4 for 11 from the field Sunday. That performance came after he had 14 points and a season-high six turnovers against the Clippers.

Ellis missed all four meetings with Minnesota last season because of a suspension and lingering injuries stemming from an offseason moped accident. He averaged 26.0 points and shot 56.7 percent to help Golden State win three of four against Minnesota during the 2007-08 campaign.

The Warriors and Timberwolves split four meetings last season, with each team winning a game at Oracle Arena.

Improved play from Al Jefferson could help the Wolves get another victory in Oakland. After averaging 23.1 points and 11.0 rebounds while shooting 49.7 percent from the field last season, the star center is averaging 14.9 points and 6.6 boards while shooting 39.2 percent in 2009-10.

Jefferson averaged 28.5 points and 11.0 rebounds in two games against the Warriors last season.