The Minnesota Timberwolves are without Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio & Luke Ridnour, but that didn’t stop them from battling in the final minutes with the playoff-bound Memphis Grizzlies. They leaned heavily on J.J. Barea who scored a game-high 28pts (19 of which came in the first half). The Wolves have now lost their last 11 games as well as a 27th consecutive April loss (last win coming 4/8/09 vs. the Warriors). This is now the longest NBA streak for most consecutive losses for one team in one month. The game was tied with just a minute left to play, but some big buckets from Rudy Gay and some miscues by the TWolves would spell the end of this one…and yet another loss. Minnesota has just three games left this season: Thursday (4/19) at Detroit, Sunday (4/22) vs. Golden State and Thursday (4/26) vs. Denver. Some reporters talked with Kevin Love who was at the Target Center for a short time (wasn’t near the bench/floor). He said he’s been at home in bed with no lights as he’s been feeling disoriented for the past 5-6 days. He added that today was the only day he hasn’t felt disoriented. He’ll begin undergoing the League-mandated concussion tests tomorrow (Wed.), though he won’t play Thursday (vs. Detroit), he hopes, however, that he’ll be able to play the final two games of the season. For Luke Ridnour, it’s sounding as though he may and try and make a return soon, likely doubtful for Thursday’s game, but could/might return for the last two, as well. Let’s get a look at tonight’s top performers… Top PErformers
HOT: J.J. Barea & Rudy Gay. It was a back-and-forth affair for these teams and we saw these two smack dab in the middle of it all. 28pts for each of them, ultimately Gay got more help from his team and the Grizz sneak away from Minneapolis, victorious. NOT: Everyone Timberwolf not named Barea/Pekovic. The Timberwolves got a combined 44pts from J.J. & Pek, the other three starters contributed 10pts (Webster: 6, Randolph: 4, Wes: 0), every player off the bench scored at least 2pts. Out of every player, Wayne Ellington (8pts & 7reb) was the only Wolf to post a positive +/- with a +3. MISC.: The TWolves had a good rebounding night, 11 from Pek, 7 from Tolliver, 7 from Ellington, 5 from Barea (those are the tops)……Barea had 8ast, but no one else had more than 2, after him……Barea’s 28pts is a new season-high, his 9 3PTA is a new season/career-high, his 10 FGM ties a season-high and his 5 3PTM ties a season/career-high…..Ellington’s 6 d-rebs & 7rebs both tie a season/career-high……Tolliver’s 2 steals & 5 3PTA ties a season-high……Randolph’s 2 assists ties a season-high……Miller’s 2 offensive rebounds is a new season-high and his 3 rebounds ties a season-high….. Team Statistics
KEY STATS: The TWolves made just 26 field goals, but stayed in this one thanks to their free-throw shooting and the big discrepancy in attempts between the two teams. Had the TWolves not taken advantage at the line (like they haven’t in the past two games), this would’ve been a much different game (a real ugly loss for Minnesota). Had the TWolves limited their turnovers a bit better, this could’ve been a different game, as well. 18 TO’s for 20 Grizz points, I’d go ahead and pinpoint that one as the glaring reason for the loss…that and Minnesota’s sub-par shooting night from the field.
UP NEXT: Thursday April 19 vs. the Detroit Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills, tipoff 6:30pmCT. Thanks for reading HOWL and GO WOLVES!
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Cody D. AndersonA Wolves fan bringing you Gameday Recaps all season long! 2014-15 Game ArchivesGameday Archives
December 2015
|