T-Wolves daily for Dec. 4: after beating the Sixers
Last Night's Recap
Minnesota 95, Philadelphia 84
Ricky Davis (14 points) and Mike James (9 points) combined for 23 fourth-quarter points and lifted the Timberwolves to a 95-84 victory over the Philadelphia 76ers last night at the Wachovia Center. Leading 68-65 entering the final stanza, Minnesota outscored the 76ers 27-19 in the final 12 minutes. For the game, Minnesota shot 51.9% from the field, while limiting Philadelphia to only 39.0%, including a 1-for-8 effort from beyond the three-point line (12.5%). The Wolves are now 7-3 on the year when shooting better than 45% from the field. Five Wolves players finished in double figures: Davis - 22 points, James - 20 points, Kevin Garnett - 15 points to go along with 14 rebounds and 6 assists, Mark Blount 13 points and Craig Smith 10 points. Minnesota overcame a season-high 25 turnovers to get the win. The victory snapped a three-game losing streak and bumped Minnesota's record to 7-9 on the season.
Bench Stepping Up
Entering last night's game against Philadelphia, the Timberwolves' bench has contributed an average of 31.6 ppg and 17.0 rpg during the past 9 games. Those numbers represent 34.5% of the team's scoring and 42.0% of its rebounding in that stretch. Last night, the Wolves reserves outscored the 76ers 23-10, and won the battle of the boards 10-8.
Up Next - Minnesota vs. Houston
Target Center - Wednesday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m.
The Timberwolves and Houston Rockets meet for the second time this year on Wednesday at Target Center. The Rockets held off the Wolves for an 82-75 victory on Nov. 28 at the Toyota Center. Minnesota trailed by 11 points in the fourth quarter before rallying to tie it at 68, but two Shane Battier three-pointers foiled the comeback bid. Houston center Yao Ming scored 25 points, while Kevin Garnett finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds for the Wolves. The defeat halted the Wolves four-game winning streak at the Toyota Center. Overall, the visitors have won eight of the past 10 meetings in the series, with all 10 being decided by single-digit margins. The Rockets lead the all-time series 42-31.
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