Thursday, June 9, 2011
Flynn was traded Thursday.
February Third, the day after the Timberwolves lost a close contest to the Memphis Grizzlies it was announced by Wolves GM AJ Stuart that the league's assist leader Jonny Flynn had been traded along with Martell Webster and the Timberwolves 2012 2nd round draft pick to the New Jersey Nets for shooting guard Anthony Morrow (3 years $16m) and young power forward Brandon Wright (expiring contract) and the Nets first round draft pick for 2011.
The trade in itself seemed an odd one given the Nets have Deron Williams, but GM Stuart said that the Wolves had been approached by the Nets with regards to an interest in Flynn. Negotiations followed and a surprising deal was struck. The Nets were in the box seat for the #1 draft pick with the leagues worst record, but things could change with the addition of Flynn and Webster who bring some valuable experience and skills to strengthen the bench of New Jersey. Minnesota fans of course, perplexed by the dealing of their young star hope that New Jersey doesn't find a way out of the mire.
Coach Rambis wasn't overly happy with the decision but had given his agreement, knowing that rookie Eric Bledsoe was looking for a chance to flourish. That said Rambis told reporters before the game against the Raptors that, "Telfair will start at point guard. We expect Bledsoe to have the bulk of the minutes but we believe it important that Bledsoe continue to earn his role. Telfair has his chance to prove his worth to us and the rest of the league as he comes out of contract."
Anthony Morrow and Brandon Wright were rushed to Toronto to join the Wolves, who were already without Michael Beasley for the contest against the Eastern Conference team who had a mere 17 wins on the board. Telfair was thrust into the starting line-up, but it was pretty much a nominal role, as Bledsoe played the majority of the minutes at point guard, but Telfair's 15 minutes were a significant improvement on the 2 or 3 minutes he would previously have had in game.
The Timberwolves would lose to a Jose Calderon and Andrea Bargnani led Raptors 108 - 110, as Morrow struggled with his new surroundings. Eric Bledsoe thrived with 27 points and 15 assists, but it wasn't enough as the rest of his team mates were clearly shaken by the loss of Webster and Flynn from the locker room.
If the locker room shake up brought on by the trade wasn't enough of a hickup to the young Wolves, Wesley Johnson who had been coming on strong in recent times, went down with a severe ankle sprain and doctors expect the rookie to be out 4 to 6 weeks. The Wolves depth at small forward was non existent at this juncture.
Kevin Love had this to say after the game, "Wes going down like that was harsh man, he was helping us stay in that game. It was a tough loss, but we'll be fine. Just adjusting to the new guys and probably missing Jonny and Martell a bit, but we will be fine. It's a long season and we've done the hard work to get where we are, we don't intend to let that work go to waste. We'll make the adjustments we need to, and if that means I have to stand up more, than I will."
Isaiah Rider deflected questions about his form and focused on his injured team mate, "It's a team game guys. Sometimes it's my time and some times it ain't. Right now I'm just focused on Wes, he's a great young kid and its just &$*# that he's hurt. We're going to miss him."
The Wolves needed another small forward and fortunately for them it happened that Michael Finley was in Toronto visiting friends. The Wolves brought Finley in for a quick shoot around in a local gym and satisfied with what they saw offered him a contract for the rest of the season. Thirty Seven year-old Finley had this to say at this morning's shoot around at Target Center ahead of tonight's game against the Nuggets. "I thought I was done but hey now I am here on a good team willing to do my bit, whether than be two minutes a night or 20. Great to be in Minnesota."
It will be interesting to see how the Wolves go with this make shift line-up, as Michael Beasley is still at least two weeks away from playing. Current indication is that Rider will start at the small forward position and Morrow will slot in at shooting guard.
Anthony Morrow and Michael Finley are new to the Wolves
Conley was player of the game in the Grizzlies 88 - 84 victory.
February 2nd, 2011. The Grizzlies came into the Target Center a team on a mission, sitting a game above .500 at 25 and 24 the Grizzlies were seeking to turn their season around and make a push for the playoffs. The Wolves were sitting pretty atop the conference with a 36 - 11 record, with very few teams truly capable of troubling them. Although the Wolves were wary of the Grizzlies, who with young athletic players in Rudy Gay, Michael Conley and OJ Mayo had the ability to match the Wolves and supersede them in a fast break style of game.
The Wolves have not been comfortable defending teams that liked to push in transition this season and they knew this game against the Grizzlies would be hard for them and it was no surprise when Memphis broke out early to lead the game 28 to 23. The Wolves fought back hard in the second period, with the help of sixth man of the year candidate Eric Bledsoe who found scoring easier than many other members of the Wolves team. The Wolves would go on to win the quarter 22 to 14 to take a three point lead into the half.
The third quarter would be deadlocked at 21 a piece as both teams struggled to find ascendency. For the Grizzlies all guns were firing with Conley setting up the offence of Mayo, Gay and Marc Gasol. Zach Randolph and Gasol were patrolling the inside, forcing the Wolves to settle for a lot of mid range and out side jump shots.
In the final quarter Kevin Love who had 17 points on the night and Isaiah Rider who had 21 both went missing as the Wolves struggled to find a way to keep pace with the Grizzlies who were enjoying pushing the pace. Jonny Flynn was working hard to find open players on his way to 17 assists, but he had trouble getting open and couldn't help his side out much either offensively, and in the end the Grizzlies managed to hold on for a four point victory after Kevin Love missed a three attempt to tie with 2.5 seconds to go. Mayo hit one of two throws to put the game out of the reach of the Wolves who were out of time outs.
Rider scored an ineffective 21 while Mayo was good with his 17 and 3 steals.
Game Notes: Eric Bledsoe scored 16 points and Martell Webster continued to struggle to get involved effectively in the offence. For Memphis Mayo and Gay both scored 17 points while Conley would take out player of the game with his 13 points and 13 assists.
Season Record: 36-12.
Rider was player of the game in win over Jazz
Results:
January 28th, 2011 Minnesota 98 @ Utah 91
January 29th, 2011 Toronto 93 @ Minnesota 98
Minnesota looked to bounce back against Utah after their humiliating loss to the Thunder and did so after setting up the game with a 25 to 18 opening quarter. It was a close game throughout but the Wolves were able to hold on with thanks to Isaiah Rider (26 points, 5 assists, 3 steals) and Eric Bledsoe (21 points, 9 assists). Rider took the player of the game performance but also had help from Wes Johnson with 14 points and Anthony Randolph who grabbed 9 boards and blocked 6 shots.
For Utah Devin Harris Scored 19 points and dished 8 assists while Millsap grabbed a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Al Jefferson came close to the same feat with 12 points and 9 rebounds (he also added 3 blocks).
Wesley was Player of the Game against the Raptors
The Raptors came into Minnesota and found themselves trailing 20 to 28 after the first and never were able to get back in the game, despite cutting the deficit to 5 at the final break. T Wolves showed why they are first in the West by maintaining their lead with solid play calling and by allowing everyone to get involved.
Six players scored in double figures as the Wolves spread the scoring load. Wesley Johnson was named player of the game for his 16 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah Rider also scored 16 points on 7 of 10 shooting. Randolph scored 14 and added 7 boards, while Bledsoe scored 13 and added 4 assists as he continues to be mentioned in sixth man of the year conversation.
Kevin Love had 12 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists in a well rounded game and Jonny Flynn notched another double-double with 12 points and 16 assists.
Season Record: 36-11.
Durant Scored 42 to lead the Thunder
January 26th, 2011 Oklahoma City 119 @ Minnesota 109
So far this season the Wolves have had the fortune of facing the Thunder without Kevin Durant due to injury. They were not so lucky this time around as Kevin Durant was back and ready to have an impact on his teams fortunes.
The Thunder and Kevin Durant in particular completely outplayed the Wolves in the first half, winning each of the first two quarters by 10 points each to have a 20 point buffer going into the second half leading 55 to 35. The Wolves fought really hard in the third quarter and managed to put up 40 points, unfortunately the Thunder managed 35 and thus the deficit was still 15 going into the final quarter.
The Wolves fought back to bring the game within 5 points in the fourth before the Thunder kicked away again only to slow down at the end and allow the Wolves back within ten. The Thunder weren’t really truly challenged on their way to the 119 to 109 victory.
Kevin Durant was named player of the game an he scored 42 points and was unstoppable, not when guarded by one or by two. Serge Ibaka added a double-double for the Thunder with 15 points and 11 rebounds. Westbrook had 9 points and a whopping 18 assists.
For the Wolves Wesley Johnson was promoted to the starting lineup in an attempt to stop Durant and while defensively there was nothing he could do as Durant hit contested shot after contested shot, he did manage to shoot 9 – 10 from the field himself on his way to 21 points to lead the Wolves, he also added 7 rebounds, 5 assists and 5 steals. Rider scored 17, Bledsoe & Randolph 16 while Webster & Love each scored 12. Flynn scored 11 while adding 14 assists for the double-double.
Webster was demoted from the starting line up.
Bledsoe recorded a double double against the Rockets
Results:
January 24th, 2011 Houston 85 @ Minnesota 113
The Timberwolves were 3 – 1 in week 13 of the season with a comfortable win over Houston, a terrible loss to the Thunder and two close wins over Utah and Toronto.
The Timberwolves set up their big win over Houston in the first quarter with a 35 to 22 start. They followed up winning the next two quarters by a point each before finishing with a 34 to 21 final quarter to add insult to the score line. That said the Wolves bench warmers got some burn in this game with no starter playing more than 25 minutes.
Kevin Martin scored 23 points for the Rockets and Luis Scola scored 21 and grabbed 8 rebounds to be the best for the away team.
For the Timberwolves five players scored in double figures, four of those scored 20 or more points in a true team performance as everyone had a chance and no one player was the sole focus of the offence throughout. Kevin Love was named player of the game.
Kevin Love: 26 points 5 rebounds 2 assists 2 steals 1 block
Isaiah Rider: 22 points 4 rebounds 5 assists
Wes Johnson: 20 points 10 rebounds 2 steals 1 block
Eric Bledsoe: 20 points 12 assists 1 steal
Jonny Flynn: 12 points 1 rebound 8 assists
Love, Rider and Johnson all played strong against the Rockets
Flynn and Rider chat during the Wolves comeback win over Portland
Results:
January 17th, 2011 Minnesota 100 @ Portland 97
January 19th, 2011 Minnesota 102 @ Los Angeles Clippers 85
The Wolves went 2 and 0 in week 12 of the season with a come from behind win over Portland and a comfortable victory over the Clippers following an unfortunate injury to Eric Gordon.
For the Blazers game Brandon Roy who scored 31 points on the night helped push his team out to a 10 point lead at half time. He had solid support from LaMarcus Aldridge who scored 18 points while also picking up 7 rebounds and nabbing 3 steals. Unfortunately for the Blazers Kevin Love (21pts, 4reb, 2ast, 1stl) and Martell Webster (25pts, 2ast) came to play and helped engineer a come back to tie scores going into the final quarter. Love would win player of the game honors for his performance.
It was a tough final period but the Wolves would hold on to win by three. Anthony Randolph would record a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds and Isaiah Rider scored 16 while also dishing 5 assists. Flynn had nine assists and rookie Eric Bledsoe had 8 to go with his 6 points in 17 minutes game time.
Love was named POG against Blazers
In Los Angeles it was a tight first half, despite the Clippers having to play without their star young shooting guard Eric Gordon who went down in the first with an injury, after having scored 8 points for his side. Corey Maggette with 16 points and 6 rebounds was the best performer for LA, followed by Blake Griffin with 14 points and 5 boards. Mo Williams scored 13 points and had 8 assists but he shot 3 of 14 from the field for the game.
The third quarter belonged to the Wolves as Isaiah Rider (26pts, 4reb, 4ast, 2stl, 2blk) put in an excellent all round performance. It would be Anthony Randolph who took player of the game honors though as he had one of his most consistent games and despite not getting any blocks, scored 22 points and grabbed 5 boards. Kevin Love notched the double-double with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
The Wolves went on to comfortably finish the game and the two young point guards in Flynn and Bledsoe each dished 9 assists while Bledsoe also nabbed 3 steals.
Please let me know if you have trouble viewing the photobucket slide show.
Monday, June 6, 2011
I'm thinking of doing a sort of rookie Rewind for highlights of my three rookies Wes Johnson, Eric Bledsoe and Nikola Pekovic and how they are doing each week. Thoughts?
Kevin Love scores 31 as Wolves defeat Magic
January 15th, 2011. Orlando came into their match up against Minnesota having lost their past three road games and it wasn't going to be easy for them to address their road woes against the West's best. Unfortunately for Orlando they started incredibly slowly with Kevin Love proving dominate on his way to 11 points in the quarter, despite missing his first three shots. On the back of Love's performance the Wolves broke out to an 11 point lead, 30 to 19.
For Orlando their one shining light was veteran Jason Richardson, who was having his way against all opponents he faced on the evening. He was part of the Magic managing to slice the lead by a single point and keep up with the Wolves at the half, although still trailing by 10 points it wasn't looking good for the Magic. Nor was it looking good for Martell Webster who struggled with his consistency once again, hitting 5 of 14 shots for the game.
Try as he may, Jason Richardson who scored a game high 38 points while hitting 50% from deep with 7 of 14 from the distance, just couldn't bridge the gap. The second half slipped by as the Wolves comfortably kept the Magic at arms length with contributions coming from several players in support of Kevin Love who went on to score 31 points and grab 7 boards on the night. Anthony Randolph added a double double with 14 points and 12 rebounds, also continuing his dominant block streak with another 4 this night. Jonny Flynn added to his double-double tally with a 13 point and 13 assist effort. Eric Bledsoe scored 15 points, passed 3 dimes and had his second consecutive game with a block.
In the end what undid the Magic was shooting 13 from 36 from deep. The long ball was not falling for them and rather than dishing the ball into Howard they persisted with a style of play that was not working for them. On the flipside the Wolves shot a smart 5 of 11 from down town, once again being selective with their deep shots, three of those shots were made in the first five minutes of the game and after obtaining a comfortable lead the Wolves put the shot away for the most part.
Kevin Love was named player of the game, in only his second game back from a serious injury.
Record: 31-10.
Kevin Love returned from injury against the Wizards
January 13th, 2011. John Wall and the Washington Wizards arrived in Minnesota to face a young Wolves team a top their conference and brimming full of confidence from their previous beat down of the second placed Western Conference team the San Antonio Spurs. John Wall had a solid supporting cast in wily veteran Rashard Lewis and talented bigs Andray Blatche and Javale McGee and this team hit the Wolves hard early.
The Minnesota faithful flocked to the Target Center to welcome back Kevin Love who was making his return from an injury that had kept him out of the teams last 21 games. Love struggled to hit his strides early in the piece, with the pace of the game clearly getting to him. Still Love managed to score 11 points and grab 7 boards in 27 minutes of game time. The Timberwolves expect that Love's form will improve as the season wears on.
In the first Rashard Lewis went a little crazy as Martell Webster and then Wesley Johnson struggled to contain him, he hit three of his six trey's in the period to help the Wizards to a one point lead 31 to 30 at the end of the first. Lewis would go on to score 33 points and nab two steals, but the green light from three clearly didn't work for him in the end, with his hitting 6 of 16 attempts from deep. He may have been best advised to put the shot away after the first quarter.
The game was all square at half time as the Wolves pegged back the one point difference in a dour affair with the Wolves scoring 20 points to the Wizards 19. Martell Webster was playing well as starter in the absence of Michael Beasley, hitting smart shots, rebounding well and sharing the ball with his team mates. Webster was at his best in the first half as Isaiah Rider (12 points, 6 assists) struggled to get things going following his two strong games against the Spurs. Webster would finish with 22 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists while also nabbing a steal and blocking one shot without committing any turnovers for what was a very worthy performance welcomed by his coaches.
Flynn was named player of the game
The third period saw Jonny Flynn flex his defensive muscle as he grabbed a few steals to take his total from the game to six as he helped lead the Wolves to an 11 point quarter win 32 points to 21. Flynn joined Webster in the double-double stakes with 21 points and 11 assists to go with his 6 steals. It wasn't a perfect game from Flynn however, as he did turn the ball over five times himself. The effort was enough to win Player of the Game award though as the Wolves would not surrender their lead and held on to win comfortably by 10 points, 111 to 101.
Game Notes: Blatche scored 19 points and grabbed 7 rebounds for the Wizards. Young Center Javale McGee scored 12 points, nabbed 6 boards and blocked 3 shots. John wall notched a double-double with 10 points and 10 assists. For the Timberwolves Eric Bledsoe scored 15 points while passing for 8 assists and grabbing 1 steal and a block. Bledsoe is right up there with Marcus Thornton in the race for sixth man of the year.
Season Record: 30-10.
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Rider leads a rout of the Spurs as the Wolves hit back following their loss earlier in the week.
January 11th, 2011. The Timberwolves returned to the Target Center knowing that they had a lot to prove to the wily veterans of San Antonio who had outplayed them two days before to take a lead in the season series 2 - 1. Wolves coach Kurt Rambis implored his team to make use of their biggest advantages in the regular season match up between the two teams, their youth and athleticism. Rambis ordered his young charges to attack the paint relentlessly.
Isaiah Rider especially relished this order as he continued to return to good form, scoring 25 points on the night to go with 4 rebounds and 4 assists. Rider shot 11 - 15 from the field and completed three and-1 opportunities as he once again made light of Manu Ginobli's aging legs.
Anthony Randolph, the other of the Young Wolves who took to the Spurs with extra vigour, making many a cut inside to receive smart passes from his team mates around him on his way to a double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds (plus 3 blocks). Randolph drew several shooting fouls and nailed all seven free throw opportunities. It's becoming clear that Anthony Randolph is relishing his new home in Minnesota and the home town fans have certainly embraced his presence.
Martell Webster played a more subdued game, scoring 12 points from 5 of 9 shooting, possibly earning him a reprieve from being traded, but Webster is aware that if he wants to stay in Minnesota his production needs to be effective rather than prolific and that he should look for the best option when he gets a touch. This in mind Webster did hand out 4 assists in what was a night of sharing the ball for Minnesota.
Webster on notice to make smarter decisions with the ball
Eric Bledsoe had another solid night off the bench, scoring nine points and dishing 10 assists to lead all passers for the Wolves (Flynn finished with 9). As such it isn't any wonder that Bledsoe is the leading sixth man of the year candidate around the league, he's also surprisingly garnered some attention behind John Wall and Blake Griffin for rookie of the year honours, although it does seem a bit of a stretch for the young point guard.
For the Spurs Ginobli improved his shooting upon the previous game on his way to 20 points on the night. Ginobli shot 50% from deep and hit all four free throws he took. Richard Jefferson scored 14 to be the next best scorer for San Antonio, who just could not keep up with the young Wolves who were savage and hungry to make amends from their last performance. Tony Parker scored 8 points and dished nine assists, but in the end it was truly fruitless effort as the Timberwolves ran out comfortable winners 108 to 84.
The Timberwolves expect that Kevin Love will be back in the line up for the Thursday night match up with Washington at the Target Center.
Season Record: 29-10.
Duncan leads the Spurs to a home win against top seed Wolves
January 9th, 2011. The top two teams in the Western Conference faced each other for the third time on the season in what was expected to be a tight contest. The Timberwolves and Spurs did not disappoint as the Wolves faced life without both Beasley AND Love, although Love is expected back any day as his wrist heals.
Martell Webster was thrust into the starting line up, despite thoughts that Wesley Johnson had been doing a lot more to earn his keep. Webster had been unhappy with his role in the organisation and more importantly his lack of minutes after returning from back spasms had been grating his nerves. The Wolves looked to give Webster a better chance to find his rhythm, however the only thing Webster proved on the night was that his bags must already be packed, as he shot a dismal 2 of 11 from the field on his way to 8 points in the contest.
Rumour has it that the Spurs had offered Antonio McDyess and their first round draft pick in 2012 for Webster and Sebastian Telfair who is struggling to find court time behind Flynn and Bledsoe, but the Wolves declined the offer. Although after the recent performances and the injury to Beasley, the Wolves may yet consider a trade to obtain a veteran power forward.
This match turned into a dour defensive struggle as both teams attempted to exert their muscle. Isaiah Rider finally found some valuable form as he worked hard to keep his team in the game, scoring 20 points from 9 of 12 shooting, the only misses from beyond the arc as his deep shot continues to elude him. He played well on Ginobli, who while scoring 18 and often at important times, had his effectiveness cut down only hitting 7 of 19 from the field and missing all 6 three point attempts. The game would have been well and truly out of the Timberwolves grasp if Ginobli had been allowed to find a rhythm.
At half time the Spurs lead 50 to 46 as Tim Duncan worked hard for the Spurs, on his way to a player of the game performance (20 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks). Duncan did well to quell Anthony Randolph who only hit on 2 of his first 6 shot attempts in the first half. The Wolves needed more from Randolph as it was not going to be a game that Rider could win on his own without help.
Anthony Randolph (16 points, 9 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals, 3 blocks) came to play in the fourth as he managed to his some valuable jump shots to keep the Wolves in it as the Spurs attempted to break away. Rookie Eric Bledsoe stepped up and knocked down 17 points and 4 assists while nabbing two steals, one of which an important one late as the Wolves rallied with a minute and a half to go to get back from an 8 point margin to tie the game up.
Unfortunately in the end sheer weight of numbers would stop the Wolves in their tracks as Richard Jefferson also had a day out scoring 20 points, including the go ahead bucket with 35 seconds to go. Final score 98 to 96, Spurs win.
It was a tough loss for the Wolves who have to head back home only to take the Spurs on again, trailing the season series 1 - 2. The Wolves hope Kevin Love can return soon to freshen the teams big man stocks. The Wolves may revisit the trade offer from the Spurs for Webster and Telfair if Webster doesn't find form again soon.
Randolph shows emotion after the Spurs held on to win by two.
Season Record: 28 - 10.
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Randolph scored 19 in the first quarter against the Blazers
January 7th, 2011. The Portland Trail Blazers arrived at Target Center looking to try and consolidate their push for the playoffs. Their intentions were not rewarded early on, with Anthony Randolph going on a tear and scoring 19 of the Wolves first 23 points as the Wolves took a 23 to 14 point lead after the first. Randolph looked to attack the Blazers big men and went to the line for nine free throw attempts in the first period, hitting all nine shots. Wesley Johnson scored the other four points for the quarter for the Wolves and Deandre Jordan had three blocks in the quarter, he would finish with five for the game.
The Trail Blazers came out harder in the second period and worked hard at both ends of the court, with LaMarcus Aldridge pushing his way to 18 points at the half, as the Blazers cut the deficit by 6 at half time. Anthony Randolph continued his domination, despite double teams from the opposition, adding another 10 points to go into the half with 29 points on the night. The Wolves led 43 to 40 at the main break.
The third quarter was a difficult one for the Wolves, with Beasley battling foul trouble and Randolph being shut down by the defence, the Wolves battled hard and the only light came from Webster who scored 10 points in the period (his only 10 for the game), as Brandon Roy and the Blazers again won the period by five points to lead 66 to 64 going into the final period. Luke Babbit had his own cameo, scoring nine points from perfect field shooting in a surprising effort from the draft pick traded with Ryan Gomes for Martell Webster at the beginning of the season.
The fourth quarter was a back and forth affair, which started with the Blazers pushing out to a five point lead, only to watch the Wolves take the lead back. The Blazers tied the game many times as they attempted to retake the lead and coming into the last two minutes, up by two the Timberwolves Michael Beasley drove the lane and went down hard, with what has now been confirmed as a broken wrist. Anthony Randolph subbed back in and calmly hit two free throws to push the gap to four points (and his tally for the night out to 33). Try as the Blazers may, despite clutch three's from Batum and Roy, they could not bridge the final gap and the Wolves won 100 to 96 in what proved to be a very interesting game.
The obvious bad news for the Wolves being the injury to Michael Beasley, with doctors expecting him to be out four to six weeks. The only shining light is that team doctors anticipate Kevin Love will be back within two weeks, as he now presses to prove his fitness. He will struggle to get a game though, with the Wolves coaches and medical staff having proved already that unless a player is completely healthy, they will not be risked.
Randolph and Jordan had 9 blocks between them in a dominating performance.
Game Notes: Jordan finished with 5 blocks and Randolph added 4 blocks to his 33 point effort. Wes Johnson scored 14 points to be the best of the rest for the Wolves, while Flynn added 10 and 10 to notch a double double. Rider continues to struggle, scoring 11 points from 5 of 12 shooting. For Portland Aldridge finished with 22 points and 3 steals, while Brandon Roy scored 18 points while dishing 5 assists. Camby scored 13 points and fell one board shy of a double-double with 9.
Season Record: 28 - 9.
Flynn was named player of the game against Charlotte
January 5th, 2011. Minnesota returned home to host the Charlotte Bobcats and opened strong, building a 24 to 14 lead in the first period on the back of 9 points from Isaiah Rider who has been struggling of late to get involved in games. The young guard has been sluggish of late and struggling to get involved, but his opening quarter promised plenty for the young Wolves.
The Bobcats struggled offensively in the first and if not for their ability to get to the free throw line would have been further behind as the Wolves played a blanketing form of defence. The Bobcats continued to attack the paint in the second quarter and were rewarded by matching it with the Wolves as both teams would score 22 points each and the margin would remain at 10 points at half time, within striking distance for the Bobcats.
Scoring for both sides increased in the third as the game became an offensive struggle, with Flynn (15 points, 12 assists) and Bledsoe (16 points, 7 assists) both doing damage for the Wolves while Tyrus Thomas (18 points, 8 rebounds) and Stephen Jackson (17 points, 6 assists) hitting back hard for the Cats. The Wolves would prove superior in the period though, winning it 30 to 27 to take a 13 point margin going into the final change.
The Wolves bench opened the fourth on the court and did so in dismal fashion as the Bobcats forced their way back into the contest with keen steals and damaging blocks. Rambis having seen enough subbed his starters back in, only to watch in frustration as Rider (17 points and 4 assists) just could not find the same stride he had had in the first quarter, bricking shot after shot.
With less than two minutes to go in the game the Bobcats stole an entry pass (I actually hit the wrong passing icon lol) and passed the ball up court to a streaking DJ Augustin who layed it in to take a one point lead. The Wolves called a time out to calm things down and out of the time out Flynn found himself wide open in the corner and cool as could be he drilled the trey to restore a two point lead to the Wolves 89 to 87, which would be the final score of the evening. Flynn would go on to be named player of the game for his excellent offensive effort.
Is Webster on his way out of Minnesota?
Game Notes: The Wolves had 14 steals and 9 blocks. The Bobcats 14 steals and 2 blocks. Martell Webster is feeling a little disgruntled about his playing time as the Wolves have started leaning towards Eric Bledsoe to be the spark off the bench. Webster scored 9 points in 11 minutes court time, he may find himself on his way out of Minnesota before the trade deadline. Deandre Jordan had 4 blocks and 2 steals on the night.
Season Record: 27 - 9.
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