One night of Kevin Love wasn’t enough to turn the Minnesota Timberwolves’ fortunes. The second night with Love in the lineup? The results were much better.
Minnesota notched its third win of the season, beating the Utah Jazz at home, 108-101. The Wolves improved to 3-17 in ending Utah’s four-game winning streak. It also snapped a two-game losing streak for Minnesota
Love was a force off the bench for the Wolves, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, giving him a double-double in both his games back. After starting most of the second half of last season, Love is looking at a return to the starting five. His return likely means Brian Cardinal is the odd man out most nights.
Al Jefferson had a double-double as well, with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Ryan Gomes led the team in scoring with a game-high 23 points.Damien Wilkins had 12 points, despite playing just 14 minutes. Seven Wolves scored in double figures on the night, including all five starters.
Utah was led by forward Carlos Boozer’s 21 points and 13 rebounds. Boozer also had a game-high six turnovers. Deron Williams had 18 points and 11 assists for the Jazz.
A strong second half propelled the Wolves to the win, highlighted by a 35-point fourth quarter. Minnesota has outscored its opponent in the fourth quarter in 11 of 20 games this season, the only period in which they’ve done so.
Minnesota faced a 47-50 deficit at half, but came out firing in the third quarter. Corey Brewer threw down a dunk early in the third to pull the Wolves to 52-51 just over a minute in. Minnesota outscored Utah 26-23 in the third, marking just the fourth time all season they’ve outscored their opponent in that quarter.
Even with their first two-win week of the season, the Wolves are last in the Western Conference by 3 ½ games. The Star Tribune’s Jerry Zgoda is already looking ahead to next year’s draft class, where the Wolves could finally get a No. 1 overall pick, depending on how the lottery goes.
NBA Lottery 2010 Watch
1. New Jersey (1-19)
2. Minnesota (3-17)
3. Philadelphia (5-15)
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