“We won the last three quarters, so I’m happy with their effort, particularly in the second half,” Rambis said. “I thought they did a much better job doing some things we asked of them in practice and the game.”
Ramon Sessions and Jonny Flynn each scored 13 points for the Timberwolves. Minnesota’s Kevin Love scored 12 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.
“We’re not where we need to be defensively,” Wolves forward Corey Brewer said. “A lot of rotations got messed up. It’s not natural for us right now.”
Brewer was one of four Wolves on the floor late in the fourth quarter who figure to get significant playing time this season, along with forwards Kevin Love and Ryan Gomes, and rookie point guard Jonny Flynn.
Brewer also played considerable minutes and did not struggle with his surgically repaired knee. The former Florida Gator was disruptive on the defensive side of the floor with three steals. He also reached the free throw line 12 times on the evening. As a team, Minnesota attempted 49 free throws and shot 39 percent from the floor.
Newly acquired point guard Ramon Sessions may have played his best game in a Wolves uniform. Sessions sliced and diced through the lane to finish with 13 points. Off the bench, Sessions added five assists as he learns the triangle offense.
“It’s hard,” Rambis said. “He had a couple of good days of practice, but it didn’t translate to the game, let’s put it that way. He made some mistakes. Some of it is nerves. Getting his feet wet is important for us.”
Important because Rambis said he is intrigued by Pecherov’s skills.
“He’s an interesting ballplayer,” Rambis said. “A lot of teams have been intrigued by him. We want to see what we have here because he is a very unique package. He understands what we want defensively, even though he makes mistakes. He moves his feet pretty well for a big guy.
They didn’t play together in either of the team’s first two preseason games, and new coach Kurt Rambis didn’t seem to have any plans to play them together Wednesday night against Chicago at Target Center for a simple reason:
He doesn’t like what he’s seen so far.
“Just trying to get a job,” Corey Brewer said of his former Florida teammate. “He played good. I’m happy for him.”
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