Manu Ginobili sparks the sizzling Spurs to a 107-96 victory over the Timberwolves
The San Antonio Spurs have dominated NBA’s Eastern and Western Conferences all season long. It seems fairly odd though, that the meeting of the NBA’s best with the league’s worst keep going down to wire.
Spurs are sitting comfortably at the top of the league with a brilliant 32-6 record this season. However, the Minnesota Timberwolves - the team sharing the league’s worst record with the Cleveland Cavaliers - has given them a run for their money in the last three games.
Although San Antonio won each time, the most sizzling offensive powerhouse of the league, managed to do so by a combined total of 13 points. On Tuesday night at the Twin Cities though, the Spurs removed that minor kink in their armoury as they thundered to a 107-96 victory over the Wolves.
Six San Antonio Players featured in double figures. Manu Ginobili led the way with 19 points, which included five technical free throws within a 10-second span in the third quarter. He also cleaned the glass on both ends, nine times.
Richard Jefferson chipped in with 17 points, while Matt Bonner and Tim Duncan had 16 apiece. Tony Parker showcased an all-round display of brilliance with 12 points and 13 assists for the Spurs. The visitors shot at nearly 47 percent from the field and 50 percent from the long range, as they kept alive their longest-ever winning streak against a team in NBA history.
Kevin Love had another huge night for the Timberwolves, notching up 20 points and 20 rebounds. His was well supported by Luke Ridnour and Martell Webster, who scored 18 points apiece, but the Wolves lost their focus midway through the third quarter as referee Ken Mauer went on a technical foul awarding spree.
The Timberwolves turned the game on its head early in the third, as they slashed a 16-point deficit late in the second quarter to a six-point duel, just two and a half minutes after the break.
However, with 8:36 to play in the quarter Mauer took the gloss off an otherwise fascinating match when he started handing out technical fouls, almost faster than he could blow his whistle.
Mauer started with Darko Milicic and Corey Brewer – a strict reprimand even by NBA standards - for gesturing towards him. A frustrated Timberwolves Coach Kurt Rambis was next on the list, as he got up to argue with the referee. Mauer ensured that discussion was Rambis’ last of the night, as he was ejected after two quick technicals.
Ten seconds later Kevin Love became the last beneficiary. The Wolves never looked the same after that as the Spurs regained control.
The Spurs however, always had the upper hand in the match. They started the game with a 9-2 spurt to set the tone early. Although the Wolves came close a few times throughout the match, it was all one way traffic and the lead never changed hands.
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