MINNEAPOLIS (Ticker) -- This time, Kevin Garnett and the Minnesota Timberwolves were on the wrong end of a buzzer-beater.
Jason Richardson hit a 3-pointer with two-tenths of a second remaining, lifting the Golden State Warriors to a 98-95 victory over the Timberwolves.
"I couldn't believe I was wide open," Richardson said. "A wide-open shot like that with the game on the line, I just knew I had to make it."
Garnett hit a buzzer-beater Sunday to give Minnesota a 96-94 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
After a runner by Richardson tied the game, 93-93, with 1:29 left, Garnett put Minnesota back in front with 1:13 remaining. Golden State's Nick Van Exel hit two free throws 11 seconds later, setting the stage for a dramatic ending.
"I thought the last play was winning basketball," Warriors coach Eric Musselman said. "We have great trust in our players."
Richardson led Golden State with 30 points as the Warriors snapped the Timberwolves' three-game winning streak. Brian Cardinal added 17 points while Van Exel and Erick Dampier had 12 points apiece.
Garnett led Minnesota with 33 points and 14 rebounds. Latrell Sprewell contributed 27 points and Sam Cassell chipped in 17 and 12 assists.
"It causes me a sleepless night, knowing that we were supposed to win and we didn't win," Cassell said. "That's tough - the toughest part about it for me."
Despite being the road team, Golden State was more energetic at the start of the contest and took a 32-28 lead into the second quarter as it seemed to be a step ahead of Minnesota.
Golden State outscored shorthanded Minnesota in second-chance points, 15-8, and set up Richardson's game-winner by hustling for an offensive rebound.
"There's two sides to injuries," said Garnett, who scored 18 points in the second half. "As a fan and a person in the seats, you have all these questions. But as a player, you have to keep it rolling, so to speak."
Minnesota shot 47 percent (38-of-81) while Golden State hit 44 percent (34-of-77). The Warriors had just nine turnovers while the Timberwolves committed seven.
Golden State held a 57-50 halftime lad, but Minnesota opened the third period with a 16-6 run to build a 66-63 cushion. Sprewell scored eight points during the spurt and had 10 in the period.
"We're right there and had the opportunity to win, but made mental mistakes down the stretch," Sprewell said.
