Wolves record: 14-47
From Jim Beilby/NBA.com:
Nicholas Batum scored a career high 31 points, a mere 23 points over his per game average, as Portland defeated Minnesota 110-91. LaMarcus Aldridge added 21 points and Rudy Fernandez added 18 off the bench in the winning effort.
Portland opened up a comfortable lead in the second quarter with a 13-2 run. Portland only shot 33 percent in the quarter, but their defense was stifling as they held Minnesota to 4-for-17 shooting in the quarter. They led 47-33 at half. Minnesota’s 10 second-quarter points is a season low for them.
Portland opened up a comfortable lead in the second quarter with a 13-2 run. Portland only shot 33 percent in the quarter, but their defense was stifling as they held Minnesota to 4-for-17 shooting in the quarter. They led 47-33 at half. Minnesota’s 10 second-quarter points is a season low for them.
But it was in the third quarter that Portland really asserted themselves. They scored 36 in the quarter, 22 of which came from Batum.
The Wolves limited star shooting guard Brandon Roy to seven points and Andre Miller scored four points at the point guard spot. Off the bench, Ramon Sessions was aggressive in the second half, drilling 11 of his 13 points. Rookie Jonny Flynn dished out a team-high seven assists and Kevin Love added six boards but zero rebounds on the offensive glass.
On a side note, Darko Milicic continues to add a defensive dimension to Minnesota’s frontline. The former No. 2 overall pick swatted three shots on Saturday night for the third time in five games in a Wolves uniform.
“I told our team after the ball game that ‘use the rest of the season as a learning opportunity, because we’re going to be playing a lot of teams that are in playoff position, so they’re going to come out and play really hard and really well. So, we’re going to have to step up and play better and learn from this experience,” Rambis said.
From the Associated Press:
Ramon Sessions scored 13 points for Minnesota, and Corey Brewer and Kevin Love each had 10. Jefferson also had 11 rebounds for his 28th double-double.
Minnesota has lost nine of its past 10 since winning four straight and doesn’t face a team with a losing record until mid-March.
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