A pair of teams trying to finish the season strong will meet in Oakland on Tuesday when the Golden State Warriors entertain the New Orleans Hornets.
The Warriors, who will finish the 2011-12 season by hosting San Antonio on Thursday, snapped an eight-game skid in Minnesota on Sunday when Brandon Rush drained the go-ahead three-pointer with 1:09 to go in the game and Golden State recovered from a 21-point second-quarter deficit to stun the Timberwolves, 93-88.
Charles Jenkins poured in a game-high 24 points to go with six rebounds and nine assists, Rush ended his night with 19 points and nine rebounds, and Klay Thompson contributed 17 points for the Warriors.
"We felt if we got stops, they would let us back in the game," Jenkins said. ...I think that's what we did in the second half."
Dominic McGuire and Richard Jefferson donated 12 and 10 points, respectively, in the win.
The Warriors, of course, have already shut down guard Stephen Curry (sprained right ankle), center Andrew Bogut (broken left ankle) and forward David Lee (groin, hip) for the rest of the season.
The Hornets, meanwhile, opened up a season-ending three-game road trip by falling to their former cornerstone, Chris Paul, and the Los Angeles Clippers on Sunday, 107-98.
Eric Gordon and Al-Farouq Aminu, who were both acquired in the blockbuster deal that sent Paul out west, scored 17 and 14 points, respectively. Jason Smith finished with 13 for New Orleans, which lost for the second time in three games.
"It was a tough fourth quarter. We handed the game to them," Hornets guard Greivis Vasquez said. "We played hard and we came out short. They played hard and got the win, give them credit."
New Orleans finishes its season in Houston on Thursday.
These two teams have split a pair of meetings this season with each winning on the other's home floor.
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