Kevin Love scores 30; Minnesota Timberwolves edge out Phoenix Suns 127 – 124 in exciting encounter – NBA Recap
The Minnesota Timberwolves came out on top after an enthralling match against the Phoenix Suns on Monday. The game at the US Airways Center saw momentum shift back and forth and even though the Timberwolves looked to have an advantage, they were made to
work very hard in the end for the 127 – 124 win.
Kevin Love was once again the man leading Minnesota’s charge. The talismanic forward scored a game high 30 points and grabbed 7 boards in an all action display. Centre Nikola Pekovic was also in terrific form, scoring an impressive 24 points and hauling
down 8 rebounds.
Luke Ridnour played the role of provider perfectly, scoring 10 points and laying on 9 assists. The Timberwolves bench also stepped up; Wayne Ellington and Michael Beasley both scored 15 points, while rookie Derrick Williams scored 19 and had 8 rebounds.
The Suns once again depended on their old warhorse; Steve Nash. The mercurial point guard produced a stunning display, scoring 25 points and laying on 10 assists. Nash’s double-double was complemented by a polished performance from Jared Dudley, who scored
team high 28 points and grabbed 9 boards.
5 more Phoenix players made it into double-digits, but ultimately their effort proved insufficient.
Phoenix had the better start to the game, going up 10 – 5 after the opening bell. Minnesota levelled matters at 14 – 14 but the Suns used a 7 – 0 burst to go up 21 – 14. At the end of the first quarter, Phoenix were leading 34 – 28.
Minnesota though launched a ferocious comeback bid in the second segment. They started off with a 7 – 2 spurt, reducing the gap to 36 – 35. An 8 – 0 run later gave them the lead, 45 – 42, and they managed to hold onto it until half time, 63 – 56.
Phoenix came out firing after the interval and took the game to the away side. They attacked with gusto, not only eating away the deficit but also taking the lead midway through the third frame. Minnesota would take it back though, and at the end of period
they were ahead 92 – 90.
A stunning final 12 minutes witnessed both teams trading shots, neither side backing down and the scores remaining close throughout. It went right down the wire, and in the end Marcin Gortat missed two crucial free throws which led to Phoenix’s defeat.
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