Trail Blazers 106, Timberwolves 101
MINNEAPOLIS -- Damian Lillard scored 34 points and had seven assists to lead the Portland Trail Blazers to a 106-101 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Monday.
The Wolves were playing their first home game since the sudden death of head coach and President of Basketball Operations Flip Saunders. The 60-year-old Saunders died of complications of Hodgkin's lymphoma on Oct. 25. The team unveiled a jersey patch they will wear the remainder of the season. A video tribute played prior to the game.
Lillard took over in the second half, scoring 15 points in the third quarter as Portland built a seven-point lead.
Midway through the fourth, Lillard's 3-pointer gave the Blazers their largest lead of the night at 99-89.
The Wolves pulled within two after a quick 8-0 burst. Guard Andrew Wiggins appeared to tie the game at 103 with a tip-in with 54.4 seconds remaining. Originally ruled no-basket on the floor, a lengthy review confirmed the call.
Wiggins' runner with under 20 seconds to play came up short and Blazers forward Mason Plumlee made 1 of 2 from the stripe to make it a three-point game.
Guard Kevin Martin led the Wolves with 24 points off the bench and Ricky Rubio nearly added a triple-double with 12 points, nine rebounds and nine assists.
The Wolves rode the emotion to a quick 8-1 lead, thanks to a short jumper and a baby hook by rookie center Karl-Anthony Towns. Minnesota extended their lead to 17 before Portland slowly chipped away.
The Blazers went on an 11-0 run into the early part of the second quarter and closed the quarter on a 22-9 spurt to pull even at 53-53 at the half.
NOTES: Blazers F Cliff Alexander missed Monday's game because of left knee soreness. ... Blazers G Gerald Henderson did not play because of soreness in his left hip. ... Timberwolves C Nikola Pekovic remained out as he recovers from surgery on his right Achilles tendon. ... The Blazers will play at the Utah Jazz on Wednesday. ... The Timberwolves will play the Miami Heat at Target Center on Thursday.