Splendid Kevin Love drives Minnesota Timberwolves to comprehensive win over Denver Nuggets – NBA Recap
The Minnesota Timberwolves have suffered lately due to injuries but star forward Kevin Love is still fit and firing. The talismanic Love put in another spectacular performance on Sunday to help his side to an easy win over the Denver Nuggets.
Minnesota dominated the game at the Target Center and ended up 117 – 100 winners. Kevin was everywhere for the Timberwolves as he scored game high 30 points, grabbed game high 21 rebounds and had 4 assists in a blockbuster showing.
"Most guys, [if] they do something like that, you know it. Like, 'wow, he has 30 [points] and 20 [rebounds].' With Kevin, I don't even notice anymore. It's just another night." Wolves forward Anthony Tolliver remarked after the game about Love’s performance.
The plaudits didn’t come from his teammate alone either.
"I think we used to call him kind of a poor man's Larry Bird," Denver coach George Karl said. "I think you can take `poor man's' off that comparison now. His ability to rebound is incredible and his offensive tools and skills are growing."
Luke Ridnour backed Love up with a terrific performance as well. Luke had 25 points and 6 assists while Wayne Ellington came off the bench for 17 points.
Although 5 Denver players made it into double-digits, none of them could muster a performance to shake the Timberwolves. Kenneth Faried top scored with 17, Wilson Chandler had 12 and Ty Lawson netted 14.
New recruit JaVale McGee came off the bench for a double-double with 13 points and 11 rebounds.
Denver were actually the stronger team at the start, going up 11 – 5 after jump ball. Minnesota Timberwolves though hit back with a furious 19 – 2 rally that took them to 24 – 13. They were in control until the end of the first quarter, 33 – 20.
The Timberwolves had further punishment in store for the Nuggets in the second segment. Right at the start, Minnesota made an 11 – 0 sprint that left the Nuggets trailing behind at 44 – 20. Denver grappled with the massive margin until halftime, going into the break behind at 68 – 43.
Proceedings after the interval were but a formality. The Timberwolves took their foot off the gas as the Nuggets tried desperately to get back into the game, which they never did. It ended with Minnesota on top at 117 – 100.
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