Lineup switch pays off

Looney starts for the first time, team tops T’wolves

Steve Kerr’s decision to change the starting lineup paid off as the Warriors got out to an early lead and led wire-to-wire in a 130-108 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night at Chase Center.

With the previous starting lineup featuring rookie James Wiseman at center struggling, Kerr swapped Wiseman for Kevon Looney in the rotation. That lineup — consisting of Looney, Stephen Curry, Kelly Oubre Jr., Andrew Wiggins and Draymond Green — blitzed Minnesota and opened up a 16-point lead early.

The change came after the Warriors’ starting lineup had been outscored by a combined 74 points over the last 12 games, and dropped their last two games by a combined 34 points.

Overall, the Warriors (9-8) outscored the Timberwolves (4-12) by 21 when Looney (two points on 1-for-4 shooting, five rebounds and four assists in 19 minutes) was on the floor.

Curry finished with 36 points, including 15 in the fourth quarter.