Wolves record: 20-51
Sekou Smith/Atlanta Journal-Constitution game recap
The Wolves’ entire starting five, including Love, sat for the entire fourth quarter in a game lost when Hawks reserve Flip Murray scored 14 of his 30 points in the second quarter and Atlanta outscored the Wolves 35-18 in the quarter to take a 22-point halftime lead.
After Sunday’s game, McHale suggested he might trim his starters’ minutes back because they were clearly fatigued by carrying the weight in injured star Al Jefferson’s absence.
They sat Monday’s fourth quarter because the reserves, including Bobby Brown, Brian Cardinal and Kevin Ollie, played with more of what McHale termed “spunk.” Starting forwards Ryan Gomes and Mike Miller combined to score only 11 points. Starting point guard Sebastian Telfair scored two on 1-for-7 shooting.
Atlanta trailed 18-15 before outscoring Minnesota 23-3 during an eight-minute span that began late in the first period, taking a 38-21 lead 8:07 before halftime on Johnson’s basket. Johnson and Murray had seven points apiece during the run.
The Hawks opened up a 58-36 lead at halftime with Bibby hitting seven of eight shots for 15 points. Atlanta shot 15-of-21 (71 percent) in the second quarter, outscoring the Timberwolves 35-18. Love had 13 points for Minnesota.
On the plus side Monday, guard Randy Foye’s offensive slump appeared to be over as he finished with 19 points.
When Foye was asked about McHale’s assertion that the Wolves — particularly the younger players — need to figure out how to battle fatigue and injuries, the third-year pro didn’t disagree.
He suggested there is some psychological wear and tear, in his case and that of Ryan Gomes (six points on 2-of-8 shooting) by the way opponents have altered their defense with Jefferson gone.
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