Minnesota got a terrific effort from its bench to stay in Sunday’s game
against Memphis early on, but couldn’t collectively slow Mike Miller
and Rudy Gay in the fourth quarter, resulting in a 113-101 loss at
Target Center.
Wolves record: 19-57
Jefferson took just one shot in the first half of Sunday’s loss to
Memphis at Target Center and still finished with 18 points and eight
rebounds, a drop-off in offensive production that began to show in
mid-March.
Memphis at Target Center and still finished with 18 points and eight
rebounds, a drop-off in offensive production that began to show in
mid-March.
That’s about the same he began to show interest in developing, at coach
Randy Wittman’s urging, his defensive and playmaking skills. In the
second half Sunday, Wittman saw what he considered the real offensive
Al Jefferson.
As I mentioned in the pregame post, Al Jefferson is fighting some sort of illness and didn’t play well (or much) in the first half. Obviously, with Jefferson’s condition, it’s a good thing this game is even close. Randy Foye, in particular, is having a decent game tonight compared to his recent play, so it’s good to see him be able to do so.
Wolves coach Randy Wittman lamented his team’s lack of concentration
and toughness after it trailed its lottery-bound brethren by 11 points
in the first quarter, then pulled ahead late in the second quarter only
to succumb to the inside-out combination of Rudy Gay and Mike Miller.
Together, they scored 57 points, including 23 in the Grizzlies’
decisive 32-20 fourth quarter.
Miller was remarkable in finishing 12 for 20 and
missing only four of 12 three-point attempts. His second three-pointer
of the third quarter put Memphis ahead 72-64. But the Wolves used a
12-0 run to reverse the momentum, with Randy Foye hitting a couple of
key shots. He finished with 17 points for one of his better offensive
games in some time.
missing only four of 12 three-point attempts. His second three-pointer
of the third quarter put Memphis ahead 72-64. But the Wolves used a
12-0 run to reverse the momentum, with Randy Foye hitting a couple of
key shots. He finished with 17 points for one of his better offensive
games in some time.
Miller’s layup and then three-pointer tied the score
88-88 with 8:37 remaining. Then Gay, who scored 23 points, took over,
playing a key role in handing the Wolves their sixth loss in seven
games.
88-88 with 8:37 remaining. Then Gay, who scored 23 points, took over,
playing a key role in handing the Wolves their sixth loss in seven
games.
From the AP recap:
Jaric and McCants were each hit with a technical with
3:16 to play in the first half after Jaric argued a non-call. McCants was on the
bench…
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