Timberwolves 116, Mavericks 108
Kevin Love had a huge night with 32 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists as visiting Minnesota snapped a two-game losing streak with a win over Dallas.
Kevin Martin added 32 points on 10-of-19 shooting for the Timberwolves, who had dropped two in a row after opening the season 3-0. Corey Brewer added 17 points for Minnesota, which shot 86.7 from the free throw line, led by 9-of-10 from Martin.
Monta Ellis scored a team-high 23 points for Dallas, which fell to 0-3 on the road. Jose Calderon added 21 points and seven assists for the Mavericks in his best performance since joining the team as a free agent over the summer.
Dallas took a 56-55 lead into halftime, led by 12 points apiece from Ellis and Dirk Nowitzki. Love appeared well on his way to a triple-double for Minnesota, dishing out six assists in the first quarter alone and finishing the first half with 17 points and 12 rebounds.
The Timberwolves utilized a 16-4 run, led by nine points from Martin, to establish a 77-66 lead midway through the third quarter. After the Mavericks answered with a 13-3 run of their own, J.J. Barea stole the momentum back with a 3-pointer and Minnesota closed with a four-point lead after three before outscoring the visitors 31-27 in the final stanza.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Dallas SG Vince Carter did not play, serving a one-game for an elbow to the head of Oklahoma City C Steven Adams on Wednesday. ... Minnesota PG Ricky Rubio, who entered the game ranked fifth in the league averaging 8.6 assists, finished with four assists and six points on 2-of-8 shooting. ... Love and Martin combined for 64 points - the second time in five days they've each eclipsed the 30-point mark.