Timberwolves 99, Mavericks 82
Kevin Love went for 25 points and 17 rebounds, rookie Ricky Rubio added 14 points and seven assists off the bench, and the Minnesota Timberwolves picked up their first victory of the season with a 99-82 triumph over the visiting Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.
Anthony Tolliver chipped in 13 points and six rebounds for the Timberwolves, who held the Mavericks to 38 percent shooting in their strongest defensive effort of the young season.
Dallas fell to 1-4 in its NBA title defense.
Dirk Nowitzki scored seven straight points after a timeout in the fourth quarter, pulling the Mavericks to within 84-82 with 5:35 left.
Love drew a charge on Vince Carter to get the ball back and buried a 3-pointer at the other end to halt Dallas’ momentum. Love connected again from beyond the arc on the next possession and Tolliver hit a pair of 3-pointers as Minnesota closed the game with a 15-0 run.
Love, Tolliver and Rubio combined to hit 10 of 14 from 3-point range.
Nowitzki scored 21 points and Delonte West added 13 for the Mavericks, who were outrebounded, 54-35.