Jason Smith leads New Orleans Hornets to a 99-90 win over Minnesota Timberwolves - NBA Recap
Jason Smith came up big with 26 points while also grabbing 10 rebounds as the New Orleans Hornets held off the Minnesota Timberwolves 99-90 on Saturday night at the New Orleans Arena, New Orleans, LA.
This was the Hornets second win in three games, while on the other hand Minnesota have now lost 5 straight games making it their worst stretch of the season. Minnesota has won only two of its last ten games, and are quickly fading
out of the playoffs picture.
With Smith leading the way for the Hornets, Chris Kaman added 21 points; Greivis Vasquez contributed with 11 points while also dishing out 10 assists, Eric Gordon also chipped in with 10 points.
On the night, New Orleans had 4 starters scoring in double-digits. For the Minnesota side, Kevin Love scored 29 points and grabbed 12 rebound making it his 47th double-double of the season. Reserve forward Michael Beasley
contributed in with 20, Nikola Pekovic and J. J Barea also added 11 and 10 respectively. It was an off night for the Minnesota guard Martell Webster who seems unable to find his shooting touch as he has now gone 1 of 10 in the previous two games.
Wolves are regarded as one of the best rebounding teams in the NBA but the strong repertoire of their opponents in that department did not seem to trouble their opponents on the night. Hornets were able to out-rebound the Wolves
48-33 with 13 of them coming on the offensive glass. This impressive showing on the boards resulted in the Hornets getting 21 second-chance points compared to the Wolves' eight.
New Orleans started the game off in splendid fashion as Jason Smith provided them with the start they required early. Smith connected on all of his shots in the opening half as they took a minor 5 point advantage into the half
time break, 46-41.
The early stages of the second half followed the same script. Wolves seemed unable to contain the Hornets offense as they continued to chase their hosts for most part of the game till the third period. Hornets led by 12 points
going into the fourth, 79-67.
In the last quarter of the game, Wolves came out with the intention of taking the game to their opponents, which they did. Minnesota baffled the Hornets early in the fourth as they went on a 10-2 run to pull to within 1 point of
their hosts, 79-81 with 8:04 minutes remaining in the game. But the Hornets were not going to let all their hard work go to waste just like that. Smith and Al Farooq Aminu, scored on the next two possessions put the game out Minnesota`s reach for good. The
game ended with the Hornets holding a 9 point advantage over the visitors.
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