Timberwolves 102, Bobcats 90
TIMBERWOLVES 102, BOBCATS 90: Kevin Love's 30 points and 18 rebounds paced host Minnesota to an easy win over the NBA's last-place team.
Love was his usual unstoppable self, hitting 11 of 21 field goals while adding a pair of 3-pointers as the Timberwolves halted a four-game losing skid. Nikola Pekovic added 21 points and 11 rebounds as Minnesota won the battle on the boards by a 46-41 margin.
Kemba Walker had 21 points to pace the Bobcats, who have lost 16 consecutive games.
Charlotte actually played the stronger opening half, carrying a two-point advantage into the break before Minnesota responded with a back-breaking 30-point third quarter. Love hit his two 3-pointers exactly a minute apart early in the quarter to put the Timberwolves ahead, and Martell Webster hit a pair of shots during a period-ending 12-0 run that gave Minnesota a 76-66 advantage entering the fourth.
Charlotte wouldn't challenge the rest of the way.
Boris Diaw added 14 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in defeat.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Bobcats fell to 1-15 away from Charlotte. ... Timberwolves PG Ricky Rubio had an off-night offensively, shooting 2 of 7 for six points. He added seven assists and four steals. ... Corey Maggette had just 18 points for the Bobcats but connected on just 6 of 17 attempts