The Timberwolves ended a 5-game losing streak with a 97-89 win at Sacramento Tuesday night. Kevin Love had his best game since coming back from a broken hand by scoring 23 points and added 24 rebounds.
Wolves 32-21 in the 4th quarter to spoil Love's return. Love wasn't expected back until early December from a broken right hand. He wore a brace around the knuckles but it didn't effect his shot. Love was 12-25 from the field for 34 points and he added 14 rebounds.
The Timberwolves have had the last 4 days to rest their injuries and just at least one injured player back tonight when they host Denver at 7pm, pregame on WJON at 6:30. Center Nikola Pekovic returns tonight after suffering a sprained ankle more than a week ago in a win over Dallas.
The Timberwolves won 90-82 at Dallas Monday night despite dressing just 10 players. Nikola Pekovic scored 20 points and had 6 rebounds before leaving the game in the 3rd quarter after turning his left ankle while stepping on the foot of Vince Carter of Dallas. Pekovic left the game and did not return. Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved each had 16 points with Kirilenko added 11 rebounds.
The Timberwolves rallied to beat Brooklyn in Brooklyn 107-96 Monday night. The Wolves trailed by 22 but outscored the Nets 32-10 in the 4th quarter to sneak out the win. Alexey Shved made 2 3-pointers and made the go-ahead basket with 2:38 left to lift the Wolves to the win. Chase Budinger made a 3-point basket with :38 left that helped seal the win.
The Timberwolves lost 105-86 at Toronto against the Raptors Sunday night. Minnesota trailed by 9 at halftime and were outscored 26-13 in the 4th quarter. The Wolves committed 24 turnovers. Andrei Kirilenko led Minnesota with 17 points and Nikola Pekovic added 15 points. Chase Budinger and Derrick Williams each scored 9 points for the Wolves.
The Timberwolves won 84-70 at the FargoDome Wednesday night in their preseason opener. Chase Budinger and Nikola Pekovic each scored 14 points, Brandon Roy scored 13 points in 24 minutes on 5-9 shooting and Kevin Love added 12 points and 8 rebounds for Minnesota. Andrei Kirilenko in his Timberwolves debut had just 3 points in 27 minutes and Alexey Shved in his Wolves' debut didn't score in 21 minutes.
The Timberwolves lost 131-102 at home against Denver to close the season Thursday night. J.J. Barea led the Wolves with 20 points, Nikola Pekovic added 18 points and 10 rebounds and Michael Beasley added 13 points for Minnesota.
The Timberwolves lost 93-88 at home to Golden State Sunday night despite holding a 21-point lead at one point. Minnesota led 55-39 at halftime. Nikola Pekovic led the Wolves with 19 points and 16 rebounds, Martell Webster added 18 points and J.J. Barea chipped in 14 points and 12 assists for Minnesota. The Wolves shot 37 percent while Golden State shot 45 percent. Barea said in the locker room after the game that there are some players that don't care if they win or not and arn't giving enough effort.
The Timberwolves won 91-80 at Detroit Thursday night to snap a 11-game losing streak this season and snap a 27-game winless streak for the franchise in April. Nikola Pekovic had 23 points and 9 rebounds and Anthony Randolph added 15 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota. The Wolves shot 47 percent while Detroit shot 36 percent.