From the AP recap:
LeBron
James had 30 points and 13 assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a
92-84 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
James had 30 points and 13 assists to lead the Cleveland Cavaliers to a
92-84 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night.
James was a game-time decision after spraining his right ankle in
Wednesday night’s loss to Boston.
Wednesday night’s loss to Boston.
Also from the recap:
The Timberwolves have lost nine of 11 and are 2-25 on the road.
Wolves record: 12-45
Timberwolves center Al Jefferson lit up the Cavs’ interior defense in
the first half, scoring 18 points with seven rebounds. But the Cavs
used better help defense in the second half, and he was held to four
points and three rebounds.
the first half, scoring 18 points with seven rebounds. But the Cavs
used better help defense in the second half, and he was held to four
points and three rebounds.
The Wolves certainly are going young. Except for
Marko Jaric, 29, who played six minutes, every Wolf who hit the court
against Cleveland was born in the 1980s.
Marko Jaric, 29, who played six minutes, every Wolf who hit the court
against Cleveland was born in the 1980s.
"Real young," coach Randy Wittman said. "That’s who we are right now."
Despite that youth and inexperience, they played
well enough defensively to keep the game close until the last five
minutes, when the Wolves made too many mistakes, and Cleveland pulled
away.
well enough defensively to keep the game close until the last five
minutes, when the Wolves made too many mistakes, and Cleveland pulled
away.
This time, James led a team remade after last week’s trading-deadline
deal sent away four players and brought back big Ben Wallace, Delonte
West, Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak in return. This time, James
provided 19 of his 30 points after halftime with an exhibition of
soaring dunks and baseline drives, on some of which Brewer tried to
obstruct around the big fellow’s path to an easy basket and still got
brushed simply aside.
deal sent away four players and brought back big Ben Wallace, Delonte
West, Joe Smith and Wally Szczerbiak in return. This time, James
provided 19 of his 30 points after halftime with an exhibition of
soaring dunks and baseline drives, on some of which Brewer tried to
obstruct around the big fellow’s path to an easy basket and still got
brushed simply aside.
The Timberwolves had 16 offensive rebounds in the first half. They had four in the second.
Minnesota, a team with only 12 wins, trailed, 79-75, with 4:44 left.
The inside defense of Ilgauskas and Wallace got tougher, but the Cavs’
offense, led by James, also picked up.
The inside defense of Ilgauskas and Wallace got tougher, but the Cavs’
offense, led by James, also picked up.
From Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune:
4 Minutes played by Wolves rookie Chris Richard, the intended
beneficiary for playing time after the team waived Theo Ratliff on
Friday.
beneficiary for playing time after the team waived Theo Ratliff on
Friday.
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