Timberwolves 109, Wizards 97
Kevin Love had 35 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 109-97 victory over the visiting Washington Wizards on Thursday.
Love made 13 of 18 shots and connected on five 3-point baskets as Minnesota (10-30) snapped a five-game losing streak.
Washington (10-27) dropped to 0-19 on the road this season. Rashard Lewis scored a team-high 19 points for the Wizards.
Washington was within 97-95 with less than three minutes to play but Wayne Ellington and Love hit back-to-back 3-pointers to give the Timberwolves an eight-point advantage with 2:19 remaining. The run reached 12 straight points on Luke Ridnour’s two free throws with 23.8 seconds remaining.
Ridnour had 16 points and nine assists and Darko Milicic had 14 points and 11 rebounds for Minnesota.
Kirk Hinrich scored 18 points for Washington. Nick Young added 15 points, Al Thornton scored 14 points and John Wall had 14 points and 10 assists.
Minnesota made 12 of 20 3-point baskets, led by Love’s 5-for-6 performance.
The Timberwolves were without forward Michael Beasley (ankle) and the Wizards played without forward Andray Blatche (shoulder).