Surging Timberwolves pull away from Wizards
MINNEAPOLIS -- Ricky Rubio continued his impressive stretch with 22 points and 19 assists, and Karl-Anthony Towns added 39 points and 13 rebounds as the Minnesota Timberwolves pulled away late for a 119-104 win against the Washington Wizards on Monday.
Minnesota reserve Nemanja Bjelica had his fourth double-double in his last seven games with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Andrew Wiggins had a tough shooting night, going 5 of 15 but scored 15 points.
The Timberwolves (27-38) have won eight of their past 12 games and have beat the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors and Washington in their past three home games.
John Wall had 27 points for the Wizards (41-24), who had won five games in a row, including four on the road. Bradley Beal scored 20 points but shot just 7 of 21. Washington had won 11 of its previous 13 road games.
The Wizards never led after Minnesota's torrid start. Washington got as close as six points in the fourth quarter, but the Timberwolves closed out another NBA power at home. Washington entered play second in the Eastern Conference.
Minnesota has done so by showing more composure and maturity as one of the league's youngest teams developing under first-year coach Tom Thibodeau. The Timberwolves have started to play the defensive style sought by Thibodeau and Rubio is thriving after the team kept him at the trade deadline, despite Rubio's name in plenty of rumors.
Rubio broke his own franchise record by two assists. He has double-digit assists in 11 of his last 14 games. He outplayed Chris Paul and Stephen Curry in the two wins last week against the Clippers and Warriors and went head-to-head with Wall on Monday.
Minnesota stayed composed last week in home wins against the Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State. Each time the Clippers and Warriors would get close, the Timberwolves would respond. With the Wizards playing their fifth game in seven days, Minnesota answered another challenge.
The Timberwolves have been a fast-starting team and led by as many as 21 points in a torrid first quarter. Rubio would lead the way with nine points and 10 assists, and Minnesota hit 68 percent of its shots to lead 41-23 after the first.
Washington has had trouble in the first and was down double-digits for the fifth time in six games. The Wizards had won four of the previous five games in that circumstance.
NOTES: Minnesota PG Ricky Rubio had 10 assists in the first quarter, tying a franchise record for assists in a quarter and becoming just the second player in the NBA this season to have 10 in a quarter. Los Angeles' Chris Paul had 10 in the third quarter in a game against New Orleans on Dec. 10. ... The Timberwolves don't play at Boston until Wednesday, but the team was going to fly out immediately after the game to avoid issues with the snow storm expected to hit the East Coast. ... The game featured the two reigning conference players of the week. Washington PG John Wall averaged 29.8 points, 11.3 assists and 1.5 assists per game to lead the Wizards to four road victories in five nights. Minnesota C Karl-Anthony Towns was named the Western Conference Player of the Week after averaging 29.0 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in three games. ... Washington returns home to host the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday.