Brilliant Kevin Love takes Minnesota Timberwolves past Los Angeles Clippers 95 – 94 – NBA Recap
The Minnesota Timberwolves recorded an important win over the Los Angeles Clippers at the Target Center 95 – 94. The Timberwolves held off a late charge by the Clippers and had to thank Kevin Love for a superb performance that helped them grab the victory.
The talismanic Love, who has been by far Minnesota’s best player for the last couple of seasons, was absolutely on fire Monday night as he dropped a game high 39 points on the Clippers. Kevin also had 17 rebounds in an all conquering double-double show that
sent out a message to the rest of the league.
Rookie Derrick Williams gave a helping hand to Kevin off the bench, scoring 15 points and grabbing 9 boards. Also in the mix were Luke Ridnour and Darko Milicic with 12 and 13 points respectively. Ricky Rubio didn’t play an effective part in the game and
managed only 4 points with 6 assists.
The Clippers’ charge was led by sensational power forward Blake Griffin. The high flying sophomore registered a double-double with 26 points, team high, and 12 rebounds. Mo Williams scored 19 points while star point guard Chris Paul had 18 with 5 assists.
It was the away team that started off quicker in the game, an 8 – 2 run from jump ball helping Los Angeles into a strong position. The Timberwolves however were determined not to be outshone on their own turf, and responded with a furious 17 – 2 rally that
turned the game around, putting them ahead at 19 – 10.
The first quarter thus ended with the T’Wolves up at 26 – 16.
A sharp start to the next segment saw the home side widen the gap to 31 – 16 before the Clippers hit back. Los Angeles used a 10 – 0 burst to get close, 37 – 32, and another 10 – 0 run to finish the first half meant that they went into the interval just
behind at 45 -44.
The Timberwolves however came out firing after the break. They took the game to the Clippers and undid all of their opponent’s hard work, piling on 30 points in the 3rd quarter and holding them to just 21.
When the final stanza began, Minnesota were in a commanding position, 75 – 65. The double digit advantage served them well as they held off the Clippers for most of the frame. Things however got very tense in the final minute when Clippers got to within
one point, 95 – 94.
Chris Paul though missed the buzzer beater, handing Timberwolves a deserved victory.
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