Spurs at Timberwolves
THE STORY: The Minnesota Timberwolves got their first win of the
season Sunday, and in the process showed off what they hope the future
will look like. Kevin Love dominated with 25 points and 17 rebounds and
Spanish point guard Ricky Rubio not only chipped in pin-point passes and
seven assists but found his stroke from long range, hitting two
3-pointers and finishing with a career-high 14 points. The Timberwolves
crushed the defending champion Dallas Mavericks on the boards and closed
the game with a 15-0 run. Another tough test awaits as Minnesota hosts
the San Antonio Spurs on Monday. The Spurs are on a mission to prove
their run as an elite team is not over and so far they have been strong,
winning three of four behind Manu Ginobili. Tim Duncan has been slow
out of the gate, however, and will have to get out on the perimeter
defensively against the Timberwolves.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FS Southwest (San Antonio)
ABOUT THE SPURS (3-1): San Antonio coach Gregg Popovich left most of
his starters on the bench during a blowout loss to the Houston Rockets
on Thursday, sacrificing a chance at coming back in an effort to keep
his key pieces strong later in the season. Ginobili certainly looked
like the rest did him some good the in the next game, scoring 23 points
on 9-of-10 shooting, including 5-of-6 from 3-point range. Duncan
struggled again, however, scoring 12 points on 4-of-13 shooting.
ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (1-3):
Minnesota was able to spread the Mavericks out with a smaller lineup,
using Love as the center with Anthony Tolliver and Michael Beasley at
forward for much of the game. Love had no problem taking slower
defenders to the perimeter and buried 5 of 6 3-point attempts. The
Timberwolves had a problem closing out games last season, regularly
watching leads slip away in the fourth quarter, but Sunday’s 15-0 run to
close the game is the latest example that new coach Rick Adelman is
changing the culture.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Popovich won his 800th career game Saturday.
2. The Timberwolves, who lost 15 in a row to end the 2010-11 season, had gone 284 days between victories.
3. San Antonio has taken 16 straight in the series.