Wolves record: 4-16
Jonah Ballow/Timberwolves site has postgame audio from Kevin McHale, Kevin Love, Kevin Ollie, and Ryan Gomes.
Afterward, Love sniffed back tears and McHale approached him from behind in the locker room and rubbed his neck.
“I may have cost us the game,” Love said after an eight-point, 15-rebound night that included eight offensive rebounds. “I’m a man. I’ll take the blame. I’ve never, ever had a night like that [from the free-throw line]. Somebody’s got to talk me off a bridge.”
“I told him we’re going to be in a lot of battles and I’ll go to battle with him any day of the week,” McHale said after the Wolves lost 99-96 to the Jazz in his debut as coach.
And that appears to be the difference between the team’s new coach and the fired Randy Wittman…
For one game, at least, McHale seemed to inject some energy and heart into a team that has lacked both since a six-game losing streak started nine days ago.
“When I turned the ball over, I’m so used to coming out of the game,” guard Rashad McCants said. “Then I looked over and saw him clapping and saying, ‘Come on, get the next one.’ It gives you confidence.”
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!