Wolves record: 7-24
From Jim Beilby/NBA.com:
Corey Brewer’s season-high 27 points gave Minnesota back-to-back wins for the first time this season, defeating the Washington Wizards 101-89.
On Wednesday, Minnesota defeated New Jersey 103-99, but the two games were very different. Minnesota’s frontcourt on Wednesday dominated and outscored New Jersey 56-30 in the paint. On Saturday, while Kevin Love and Al Jefferson scored a respectable 17 and 11, it was Corey Brewer and backup point guard Ramon Sessions that keyed the victory.
On Wednesday, Minnesota defeated New Jersey 103-99, but the two games were very different. Minnesota’s frontcourt on Wednesday dominated and outscored New Jersey 56-30 in the paint. On Saturday, while Kevin Love and Al Jefferson scored a respectable 17 and 11, it was Corey Brewer and backup point guard Ramon Sessions that keyed the victory.
Also from Beilby:
Randy Foye, an ex-Timberwolf, made a flurry of 3-pointers late in the fourth, but the Wizards never got closer than seven points.
That offense on Saturday provided just 37.4 percent field-goal shooting for the night, but the Wolves had 23 assists to the Wizards’ 12, got to the free-throw line 15 more times (even if they made only 28 of 39) and produced an efficient shooting night from Brewer, who now has scored 20 or more in three of those past seven games.
Brewer made nine of 16 shots, many of them outside jump shots that have vexed him so thus far in his young career.
Brewer made nine of 16 shots, many of them outside jump shots that have vexed him so thus far in his young career.
A game with several momentum changing moments severely tipped toward Minnesota’s favor at the 8:42 mark of the final stanza. Center Ryan Hollins elevated high above the rim, climbing the ladder for a thunderous one-handed dunk on top of Andray Blatche. At this point in the contest, Minnesota snatched the 72-71 lead as the Target Center fans gasped for air.
The offensive flood gates then opened for the Wolves with the team compiling a 15-6 run during the next four minutes and securing back-to-back victories for the first time this season.
Wolves forward Ryan Gomes returned after missing six games because of a high-ankle sprain. He came in alone on Christmas Day to rehabilitate that ankle with the team’s athletic trainer and declared it ready by Saturday night. “You’ve got to give it a go sometime and tonight is the night,” said Gomes, who came off the bench late in the first quarter.
The night was a nostalgic one for Wizards assistants Randy Wittman and Don Zierden, Saunders’ assistants with the Wolves, and former Wolves players Randy Foye and Mike Miller. Former Wolves player Sam Cassell is another Saunders assistant.
Foye, traded with Miller to the Wizards in June, started at shooting guard and finished with 16 points. Miller, recovering from a calf injury, did not dress.
Also from Richardson:
The Wolves’ Hardwood Classic Night promotion had to be scrapped because the Wizards did not bring their home white uniforms. The Wolves were scheduled to wear their original road uniforms from the 1989-90 season.
A few boos were heard when the announcement was made that the Wolves would not be wearing their throwback uniforms.
A few boos were heard when the announcement was made that the Wolves would not be wearing their throwback uniforms.
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