Prince’s Purple Rain, REM’s Everybody Hurts, and Soul Asylum’s Misery are three songs in constant rotation at the Target Center as one of the three is always played as fans are filing out after a Wolves loss. Though there is much love for Prince in the Twin Cities, fans were both relieved (the team held it together in the 4th) and excited (consecutive wins for the first time in almost a year ) when Kool & The Gang’s Celebration, a song played only five times this season, was broadcast after the game.
Al Jefferson and the Minnesota Timberwolves believe they’re headed for
better days. Beating the Phoenix Suns — again — is surely a decent sign
of progress.
better days. Beating the Phoenix Suns — again — is surely a decent sign
of progress.
Jefferson had a career-high 39 points and 15 rebounds, and the
Timberwolves won two in a row for the first time this season, 117-107
over the Western Conference leaders on Wednesday night.
“I think they have kind of turned the corner,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said.
Gomes had 14 points and nine boards — five on the offensive end for a
team that out-rebounded Phoenix 48-26 and got 26 second-chance points.
Guards Marko Jaric and Telfair combined for 28 points, 18 assists … .
and only two turnovers.
team that out-rebounded Phoenix 48-26 and got 26 second-chance points.
Guards Marko Jaric and Telfair combined for 28 points, 18 assists … .
and only two turnovers.
The Wolves played a crazy first half — matching their season high of
65 points — and a serious second half. They built a 19-point lead on
Rashad McCants’ dunk midway through the fourth quarter. And when
Phoenix came with it’s inevitable run? The Wolves withstood.
65 points — and a serious second half. They built a 19-point lead on
Rashad McCants’ dunk midway through the fourth quarter. And when
Phoenix came with it’s inevitable run? The Wolves withstood.
Wolves record: 7-34
Timberwolves Today postgame podcast
Wolves Watch recap
“Coming into the fourth quarter, for us to score (29) points in a tight
game (means) we’ve taken steps in the right direction,” Wittman
explained. “We got big contributions from everybody.”
game (means) we’ve taken steps in the right direction,” Wittman
explained. “We got big contributions from everybody.”
Consider this: Minnesota was averaging just 93.7 points a game for the
season (27th in the NBA), but had averaged 102.5 in its last four,
thanks in part to a smaller, more explosive lineup featuring Ryan Gomes
at the four and Jefferson at the five. That story sure continued
against Phoenix.
season (27th in the NBA), but had averaged 102.5 in its last four,
thanks in part to a smaller, more explosive lineup featuring Ryan Gomes
at the four and Jefferson at the five. That story sure continued
against Phoenix.
Minnesota scored in every which way, but was particularly impressive in
the paint, carving up the NBA’s worst D in terms of points in the paint
for 56 of its own, 10 more than Phoenix’s league-low average.
the paint, carving up the NBA’s worst D in terms of points in the paint
for 56 of its own, 10 more than Phoenix’s league-low average.
Ok, honestly, Minnesota played a great first half, but I found myself justified in wondering how they would lose this game. Well, they didn’t lose because they are finally showing the consistent heart and effort needed to win games. With a team such as this where the talent level is not as high as most NBA squads, heart and effort can make up the difference.
The Suns are the NBA’s worst rebounding team, whether it is defined by
rebounding percentage or sheer total of offensive rebounds yielded this
season. But it rarely makes the Suns look as bad as it did Wednesday,
when the Timberwolves had 22 offensive rebounds to Phoenix’s three and
scored 26 second-chance points to the Suns’ six.
rebounding percentage or sheer total of offensive rebounds yielded this
season. But it rarely makes the Suns look as bad as it did Wednesday,
when the Timberwolves had 22 offensive rebounds to Phoenix’s three and
scored 26 second-chance points to the Suns’ six.
“They beat us on the boards and beat us up,” Suns coach Mike D’Antoni said.
28 Assists by the Wolves, one off their season high.
9 Times this season the Wolves have had a player score 30 or more points. Jefferson has done it four times.
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