Jimmy Butler and Buddy Hield delivered in their own ways the both-ends-of-the-floor production necessary for Golden State to fend off Minnesota for a Game 1 victory after star Stephen Curry went down with a strained left hamstring early in the second quarter.

It is not just a coincidence the Warriors have been able to survive their minutes without Curry in the Butler era.

The Minnesota Timberwolves have a clear plan heading into Game 2 of their series against the Golden State Warriors. That plan sounds simple: stop Jimmy Butler in Stephen Curry’s temporary absence. One of Minnesota’s young stars,