Trail Blazers 108, Timberwolves 98
Wesley Matthews scored 29 of his career-high 36 points in the first half and LaMarcus Aldridge added 28 points and 10 rebounds as the Portland Trail Blazers cruised past the Minnesota Timberwolves, 108-98, on Friday.
Andre Miller chipped in 16 points and 10 assists, and Patrick Mills scored 10 off the bench for the Blazers, who have won five of their last seven.
Portland burst out of the gate with 37 points in the first quarter. Matthews had 19 of those, including five 3-pointers. The Blazers would stretch the lead to 63-43 at the half as Matthews hit two more 3-pointers en route to setting the franchise record for points in the first 24 minutes. His seven 3-pointers in the half were also a franchise best.
The Timberwolves recovered a bit after the break as Matthews cooled, chipping away until briefly cutting it to single digits when Kevin Love made a 3-pointer with 1:34 left in the game. But Aldridge hit two free throws to bump it back to an 11-point cushion with 1:01 remaining.
Love finished with 30 points and 19 rebounds while Michael Beasley scored 17 for Minnesota, which has dropped three straight.