NBA Update: Kevin Love goes 31-31 as the Wolves hand over the Knicks their fourth straight defeat in a row
Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves) scored first 31 points and 31 rebounds of his career last night against the tough New York Knicks. He is the first player after Moses Malone who scored the same late in 1980. K. Love is also the first player after Robert
Parish who was the first one who made this score against the New York Knicks in 1979.
Michael Beasley would not have believed his ears at the point when Kevin Love had lowered down and whispered in his ear some words that he will never forget all his life. "I'm going for 30 tonight," Yes, this is what Love had said to Beasley when he had
only seven points at that time. Beasley thought that he might be referring to the rebounds but later it appeared that the player was going for both the points as well as rebounds.
The game took place at Target Center, Minneapolis, MN. There were a large number of basketball fans; some 15232 people were there to catch the igniting match. The lead changed six times and the game was tied five times.
The game turned out another failure for the New York Knicks who lost their fourth consecutive game and could not do anything to match Love’s game after the second half.
Michael Beasley scored his impressive 35 points, Love scored 31 and Wesley Johnson scored 15 for the Minnesota Timberwolves. Danilo Gallinari scored 25 points, seven of which he scored in the second half. Raymond Felton scored 22 points and Wilson Chandler
scored 17 points for the Knicks.
The Timberwolves were lucky enough to have Love aboard as he made it possible for them to win their second game in a row.
Quotable
Who would have thought that Love had these 31-31 on his mind when he scored 23 points and 24 rebounds in their loss against the Lakers on Tuesday? He later said, “I just got a good mindset that every single one was mine.”
Quotable II
“It seemed like no matter what anybody did I was going to go and get those rebounds. I don’t know what to tell you,” Love said finding words to express his joy. “I impressed myself. I don’t even know what to say to be honest with you.”
Scoreboard
The New York Knicks made six rebounds whereas Minnesota Timberwolves grabbed 17 rebounds. The Knicks took 11 offensive rebounds and the Timberwolves took 17. The Timberwolves even gave 14 turnovers that were more than that by the Knicks who gave only 13
but Beasley and Love saved the day for them. The Knicks took 23 fast break points and the Wolves took 13. The biggest lead was taken by Knicks 21 and the Wolves took 12. The Knicks made 30 points in the paint, whereas Timberwolves took the lead with 48.
No one would have believed that Love who was giving only a 2 for 8 shooting during the halftime could give such a marvellous performance afterwards. Everybody had their gaze fixed on Beasley, as he was outshining him with his performance. It was Beasley
who scored 42 points against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday and had given the Timberwolves their first victory of the season in 18 games. Love came back into action after the second quarter when he took a soaring dunk that brought the crowd to its feet.
He took this attempt in an answer to the fast break over Amare Stoudemire. The quick shooting Knicks would not allow them to go ahead, Raymond Felton came forward, and the Wolves couldn’t keep up their defence tactics against them any further.
At halftime, Love had just six points on 2-for-8 shooting, a rather lifeless effort that was overshadowed by Beasley's brilliance.
Coming Up
The Minnesota Timberwolves will play against Atlanta Hawks on Sunday, Charlotte Bobs on Monday, Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday and Los Angeles Lakers on Friday. The New York Knicks will play against Houston Rockets on Sunday, Denver Nuggets on Tuesday,
Sacramento Kings on Wednesday and Golden State Warriors on Friday.
Tags: