Minnesota T-Wolves Blog – Page 97 – NBA Blog

Theo Ratliff out 6 weeks after knee surgery

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced Wednesday that center Theo Ratliff underwent successful arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Tuesday (Dec. 18). Dr. James R. Andrews of the Alabama Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Ala. performed the operation and repaired cartilage. Ratliff is expected to miss the next six weeks as he rehabs from the surgery.

Ratliff, acquired via trade from the Boston Celtics on July 31, 2007, has appeared in six games for the Wolves this season, averaging 8.2 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.8 blocks in 26.8 minutes per game. The 12-year NBA veteran has missed the last 13 games due to soreness in his right knee.

Theo Ratliff to have exploratory right knee surgery

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced today that center Theo Ratliff will undergo exploratory arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on Tuesday, Dec. 18. Dr. James R. Andrews of the Alabama Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Ala., will perform the operation. Due to the exploratory nature of the procedure, a timetable for his return will be established following the operation.

Brewer bricks but breaks out

Wolves rookie Corey Brewer, although he shot just 3-of-15, turned in his best all-around performance of the season last night in a loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Playing a career-high 44 minutes, the former Florida Gator did not turn the ball over once and grabbed 18 rebounds, handed out five assists and swiped four steals, all career-bests for the seventh overall pick in last summer’s draft. Brewer’s 18 rebounds were the most by a Timberwolves rookie in over a decade and the third-most all-time.

Joe Johnson beats Wolves at buzzer

The Timberwolves lost a heartbreaker last night in Atlanta, falling 90-89 on a Joe Johnson fadeaway at the final buzzer. After falling behind by as many as 19 points in the first half, the Timberwolves rallied after the intermission.

Down 13 to start the third, the Wolves opened the quarter on a 15-4 run and took a 63-61 lead, their first of the game, on Marko Jaric lay-up with 1:45 remaining in the period.

The final quarter featured four ties and five lead changes, including four lead changes in the final 30 seconds. After another Jaric lay-in gave the Wolves a one-point advantage with :20.9 to play, Atlanta reclaimed the lead on a Josh Smith bank shot with :07.9 remaining. Another Jaric basket put the Wolves back on top with :02.8 to play before Johnson hit the game-winner.

Jaric nearly posted a triple-double on the night, tallying 18 points, eight rebounds and nine assists. Craig Smith came off the bench to lead the Wolves with 20 points while Corey Brewer pulled down a career-high 18 rebounds in over 44 minutes of action.

The Hawks were led by Smith, who finished with 28 points, seven rebounds and seven blocks. With the win, Atlanta took the season series 2-0.

Randy Wittman to have back surgery

The Minnesota Timberwolves announced today that head coach Randy Wittman will miss tonight’s game against the L.A. Lakers at Target Center as he prepares for back surgery. Wittman is scheduled to undergo back surgery tomorrow (Wednesday, Dec. 5). A timetable for his return to the sidelines will be set following the operation. In Wittman’s absence, Wolves assistant coach Jerry Sichting will assume the head coaching duties.

“This is a situation that has been progressively getting worse,” Wittman said. “The doctors said that in order to coach the remainder of the year, that it would be in my best interest to have the back surgery as soon as possible. I wish I could be out there tonight, but I know Jerry and the coaching staff will do a great job.”

Timberwolves bench stepping up

The Timberwolves bench continued its production in New Orleans on Monday night. The bench exploded for a season-best 54 points compared to 25 points for the Hornets. Three Wolves reserves scored in double figures – Sebastian Telfair (20 points), Antoine Walker (17 points) and Craig Smith (10 points).

Wolves’ reserves have now outscored their opponents in 10 of the team’s 12 games. Antoine Walker’s 24 points vs. Denver on Friday night is the single-game high this season.

Jaric dating supermodel A.Lima

Minnesota Timberwolves guard Marko Jaric may be one of the luckiest men alive. Word is, he’s dating Victoria’s Secrets Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima.

The St. Paul Pioneer Press reports: Wolves point guard Marko Jaric recently began dating Brazilian supermodel Adriana Lima. She is one of the highest paid models in the world, most famous for her work with Victoria’s Secret. Years ago, she was engaged to rock star Lenny Kravitz, but the relationship didn’t survive. She was once even falsely linked to Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter. Lima is supportive of Jaric. She flew to Denver on Thanksgiving and attended the Wolves’ game there the next day… Teammate Antoine Walker didn’t know Jaric is dating a supermodel but quipped: “He’s overachieving.”

LeBron James unleashes insane 45-point game on Wolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers by the score of 97-86 Wednesday night in front of 15,524 fans at the Target Center. Cavaliers forward Lebron James stole the show, scoring a game-high 45 points on a ridiculous 17-26 from the field. Of those 17 baskets, six of them were of the three-point variety. In addition to Lebron’s tremendous night from the floor, he also chipped in with eight rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. Minnesota forward Al Jefferson did his best to keep Minnesota within reach, scoring a season-high 30 points to go along with eight rebounds. The Wolves had three other players finish in double figures, Walker (13), Green (13) and McCants (11). Minnesota heads to Denver next for a contest against the Denver Nuggets on Friday night at 8 pm. Minnesota heads into the game with a record of 1-8, Denver stands at 8-3, good for first place in the Midwest Division.

Timberwolves have just two players averaging double-figures in scoring

The Wolves have two players averaging double figures in scoring, led by Al Jefferson’s 19.5 ppg (31st in the league) followed closely by Rashad McCants’s 17.

Minnesota has a host of other players right on the cusp of averaging double figures: Gomes (9.9), Buckner (9.0), Smith (8.6), Telfair (8.4), Ratliff (8.2) and Walker (8.1). Sebastian Telfair ranks first on the team in assists (4.6), also good for 36th in the league. The Wolves leading rebounder is third year forward Al Jefferson. Big Al averages 11.1 rpg which ranks him 11th in the league. Wolves rookie Corey Brewer, who made his first regular season start last Saturday vs. New Orleans, ranks 15th in the league in scoring amongst rookies averaging 4.8 ppg. Brewer also ranks 8th in rookie rebounding (3.9), fifth in three point shooting (4-12, 33%), second in free-throw shooting (89%) and eighth in minutes per game (19.6).

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Al Jefferson starting season extremely strong

Through five games, Al Jefferson is leading the Wolves with averages of 19.6 points (49.4% FG%) and 12.4 rebounds per game. He has registered point/rebound double-doubles in all five contests. Rashad McCants’ 15.0 ppg ranks second on the Wolves in scoring. The third-year pro is shooting the ball at a 51.1% clip from the field, including 50% (8-for-16) from the three-point line. Center Theo Ratliff is averaging a team-best 3.5 blocks per game. The veteran from the University of Wyoming swatted a season-high six blocks against Sacramento on Saturday night. Sebastian Telfair is leading the Wolves with 4.6 assists per game.

Through the first five games, Minnesota center Theo Ratliff leads the league in blocks per game, averaging 3.5 per game. Wolves Forward Al Jefferson ranks eighth in the league in rebounds per game (12.4). Third-year guard Rashad McCants ranks amongst the league leaders in three-point shooting, connecting from long range 50% (8-16) of the time. Wolves 2006-07 second-round draft pick Craig Smith ranks 17th in the NBA in field-goal shooting percentage at 55%.