The AP reports: Stephen Jackson had 23 points, seven rebounds and six assists and Golden State led by 31 points in the first half of a 118-94 victory over the Timberwolves. Kevin Love had 18 points and 14 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who lost for the seventh time in a row and 15th time in their last 17 games… Corey Maggette added 16 points and Andris Biedrins had 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Warriors, who snapped a three-game losing streak… The Timberwolves dropped to 1-9 without star center Al Jefferson, who is out for the season with a torn ACL.
Category: Minnesota T-Wolves Blog
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Rockets overpower smaller Timberwolves 105-94
The AP reports: Without “Big Al” in the middle of their lineup, the Minnesota Timberwolves simply are not measuring up these days, especially when Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets come to town. One night after blowing a 17-point lead in the final six minutes, Yao towered over the Timberwolves with 17 points, 11 rebounds and six blocks in Houston’s 105-94 victory over Minnesota on Sunday… Ron Artest scored 23 points and Aaron Brooks had 22 points and a career-high 10 assists for the Rockets, who had lost four in a row, and five of their last six, on the road… Foye scored 24 points and Craig Smith had 20 for the Timberwolves, who lost their sixth game in a row and fell to 1-8 since star center Al Jefferson went down for the season with a torn ACL.
Roy scores 19 as Blazers beat Wolves 102-82
The AP reports: Brandon Roy scored 19 points in only three quarters against Minnesota, leading Portland to a 102-82 victory over the listless Timberwolves on Friday night… Rudy Fernandez added 18 points for the Blazers, who snapped a five-game road losing streak by sending the sputtering Wolves to their eighth-straight home loss. Travis Outlaw and LaMarcus Aldridge each added 15 points and Sergio Rodriguez had 12 for the Trail Blazers, who built a 19-point lead through three quarters and were never threatened… Mike Miller and Craig Smith each scored 16 points to lead Minnesota, which continues to struggle without Al Jefferson in the lineup.
Analysis: Marbury can help Celtics
Former New York Knicks point guard Stephon Marbury has signed with the Boston Celtics.
Although Marbury was a starter pretty much his entire career and is capable of putting up 20 points and tossing around eight assists over the course of a full game, the Celtics already have championship-level chemistry, and having Rajon Rondo run things is working out just fine. So they’re not changing that.
It’s expected that Marbury will be used as a prime scoring option off the bench, alongside Eddie House.
But the Celtics win with defense and teamwork, so they’re not looking to have Marbury merely put the ball in the hoop a few times. He’ll be expected to defend as hard as he’s ever done in his life. And move the ball properly.
If he dominates the rock more than the team wants him to, or lets his man go by him too consistently, or doesn’t grasp their team defense schemes, coach Doc Rivers won’t hesitate to sit Marbury down.
If a problem develops, they’ll get rid of him immediately.
It’ll be interesting to watch, but I think in limited minute and a clear backup role and his head on straight, Marbury makes the Celtics better.
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Brewer steps up, Jazz beat Wolves 120-103
The AP reports: Ronnie Brewer scored 16 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter and Boozer showed signs of his old self in Utah’s 120-103 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday night. In his second game back after missing the previous 44 with a knee injury, Boozer had 12 points on 6-for-10 shooting in 21 minutes. Mehmet Okur scored 25 for the Jazz, who extended their winning streak to a season-long six games… Kevin Love had career highs with 24 points and 15 rebounds and Ryan Gomes added 24 points and eight boards for the Wolves, who have lost seven in a row at home.
Kevin McHale may keep coaching Wolves
The St. Paul Pioneer Press (Don Seeholzer) reports: Minnesota Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor strongly indicated today during a telephone interview that he would like to see Kevin McHale remain as coach and doesn’t see him returning to his former role as vice president of basketball operations. “I think we’re beyond that,” Taylor said. “I think Kevin has taken over coaching. I don’t think he’s making a decision of going back to that or not. I think the decision that he will make is, he said he’d commit with this team to coach them (this season). I think that’s the direction that he’s chosen, I’ve chosen, and I think that’s the direction that we’re looking at. I anticipate that he will be here in coaching.”
Bosh, Bargnani lead Raptors past Wolves again
The AP reports: Chris Bosh knows there’s no place for politeness in an NBA playoff drive. Bosh and Andrea Bargnani each scored 26 points, Anthony Parker had 24, and the Toronto Raptors beat Minnesota 118-100 on Tuesday, their 10th consecutive victory over the Timberwolves. Jose Calderon had 15 points and 13 assists for Toronto, with Jason Kapono adding 11 points and Shawn Marion 10… Randy Foye scored 25 and Ryan Gomes had 23 for the Timberwolves, who have lost 11 of 13.
Odom shines, Lakers beat Wolves 111-108
The AP reports: Lamar Odom had 25 points and 14 rebounds, and Kobe Bryant scored 28 to move past Elgin Baylor into 20th place on the NBA’s career scoring list in the Lakers’ 111-108 victory Sunday night. Pau Gasol added 25 points for the team with the league’s best record, which is 9-1 since Bynum went down with a torn MCL in his right knee on Jan. 31… Ryan Gomes had 20 points and seven rebounds and Craig Smith scored 19 on 9-for-10 shooting for the Timberwolves, who are 1-4 without Jefferson and have lost six straight home games… Bryant also had seven assists and six rebounds.
Kings trade Shelden Williams, Bobby Brown to Wolves for Rashad McCants, Calvin Booth
The Sacramento Kings today acquired Rashad McCants and Calvin Booth from the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown, according to Kings’ President of Basketball Operations Geoff Petrie.
“We’re looking forward to having Rashad and Calvin join the team,” said Petrie. “Calvin is an experienced center and Rashad has had some terrific moments scoring the ball in the league. We also want to thank Shelden and Bobby for their contributions and wish them the very best.”
“Shelden Williams and Bobby Brown are both talented young players and we’re excited to get a better look at them,” Timberwolves General Manager Jim Stack said. “We’d like to thank Rashad and Calvin for their professionalism during their time with us and wish them all the best as they move forward with their careers.”
McCants, a 6-4, 215-pound guard, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, averaged 9.1 points (.360 FGs, .319 3FGs, .741 FTs) and 1.9 rebounds per game through 34 outings for the Timberwolves this season. A first round selection (14th pick overall) by Minnesota in the 2005 NBA Draft out of North Carolina, McCants has posted career averages of 9.9 points (.429 FGs, .369 3FGs, .735 FTs), 2.0 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game over 225 contests, of which he has started in 38.
Booth, a 6-11, 230-pound center, who is currently in his 10th NBA season, has played in only one game this season for the Timberwolves. He has amassed career averages of 3.3 points (.450 FGs, .222 3FGs, .748 FTs) and 2.8 rebounds per game through 359 outings, of which he has started in 83 for Washington, Dallas, Seattle, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Minnesota. Booth was a second round selection (33rd pick overall) by the Washington Wizards in the 1999 NBA Draft out of Penn State.
Williams, a 6-9, 250-pound forward/center, who is currently in his fourth NBA season, and second with the Kings, averaged 3.7 points (.449 FGs, .762 FTs) and 2.6 rebounds per game over 30 outings this season for Sacramento. The fifth overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks out of Duke, Williams has posted career averages of 4.6 points (.447 FGs, .250 3FGs, .732 FTs) and 4.1 rebounds per game through 175 contests with the Hawks and Kings.
Brown, a 6-2, 175-pound guard, who is currently in his rookie campaign, averaged 5.2 points (.381 FGs, .330 3FGs, .765 FTs) and 1.9 assists per game over 47 contests, of which he started in one. Upon a solid career at California State Fullerton, Brown was not drafted by an NBA team in the 2007 NBA Draft. He signed with the Kings as a free agent prior to the start of this season.
Read fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.
Wolves spoil O’Neal’s debut, beat Heat 111-104
The AP reports: Sebastian Telfair had a career-high 30 points and eight assists, Ryan Gomes added 20 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves spoiled O’Neal’s debut in Miami by hitting a season-high 14 3-pointers and beating the Heat 111-104 on Wednesday night… Dwyane Wade finished with 37 points and 12 assists for Miami. Udonis Haslem added 17 points for the Heat, and O’Neal—who sustained a right eye injury in the third quarter and missed 13 minutes before returning late—had 13 in his first game since being acquired from Toronto last week… Kevin Love had 16 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota. Foye had 14 points for the Timberwolves, who also got seven points, nine rebounds and nine assists from Mike Miller and 10 rebounds off the bench from Brian Cardinal.