Suns-Timberwolves Preview

By NICOLINO DIBENEDETTO
Posted Apr 06 2011 1:48AM

A visit to Minnesota presents the Phoenix Suns with an ideal chance to avoid their first five-game road losing streak in over a year.

The Timberwolves have a longer slide they'd like to snap.

In a meeting between two teams out of playoff contention, the Suns look to beat Minnesota for a seventh consecutive time Wednesday night.

After opening a five-game swing with a 17-point loss to league-best San Antonio on Monday, Phoenix (37-40) dropped a 97-94 decision at Eastern Conference-leading Chicago on Tuesday.

The Suns last dropped five straight on the road from Jan. 13-25, 2010, and a stop at the Target Center may be what they need to avoid equaling that slide.

Phoenix has won 17 of the last 22 meetings with the Timberwolves, including eight of 11 in Minnesota. They ran their winning streak in the series to six with a 128-122 home victory on Dec. 15 behind Steve Nash's 11 points and 19 assists.

Nash is averaging 15.5 points and 12.5 assists over the last 11 games at Minnesota. The two-time MVP point guard dished out 16 assists while scoring six points Tuesday after missing the previous two games with flulike symptoms.

Vince Carter, who scored 23 points against the Bulls, will face the Timberwolves for the first time with the Suns. He had 20 points and seven assists while helping Orlando to a 128-86 win on Nov. 3.

The veteran swingman is averaging 25.3 points in 10 visits to the Target Center.

Minnesota, last in the Western Conference, hasn't beaten the Suns since Jan. 16, 2009 and enters this matchup on an 11-game slide - its longest since dropping 16 in a row from Feb. 24-March 28, 2010.

Michael Beasley nearly ended the skid Tuesday, but his off-balance 3-point attempt at the buzzer rimmed out in a 107-105 loss at New Jersey.

"Obviously I don't want to shoot off balance like that all the time, but once I released it I thought it was going to go in," Beasley said.

The forward has scored 20 in each of the last two games, but got all of his points against the Nets in the second half. His production has come with Kevin Love sitting out two games with a groin injury.

Love's status for Wednesday isn't clear, potentially leaving the Timberwolves without their top player averaging 20.2 points and 15.2 rebounds per game. The All-Star has totaled 46 points and 38 rebounds over the last two meetings with the Suns.

The Suns and Timberwolves will complete their season series Monday in Phoenix.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Gortat scores 20 as Suns beat Timberwolves 108-98

Posted Apr 07 2011 1:24AM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) There are two goals for the Phoenix Suns as this NBA season comes to a close: win games while getting extended playing time for some reserves.

The Suns showed it was possible to accomplish both in a 108-98 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Despite sitting both Steve Nash and Grant Hill for the entire second and fourth quarters, Phoenix was never seriously threatened by the team that now has the worst record in the NBA.

"We desperately needed a win," said Gentry, whose team had lost six of seven and four straight on the road. "We're trying to close out the year on a positive note. It's tough when you know you're not going to be in the playoffs and you know it's coming to an end."

The Suns need to win three of four to finish .500, a season after playing in the Western Conference finals.

"It's nice to win games and have something positive to end the season," Nash said. ".500 is better than not. It would be great if we can do it."

If that's going to happen, the Suns are going to need more performances like they got against Minnesota.

Because while starters Marcin Gortat scored 20 points and grabbed 16 rebounds and Hill scored 17 points in less than 19 minutes of action, Phoenix got 58 points from its reserves.

Aaron Brooks, who the Suns acquired from Houston in February, scored 19 points with six assists. Hakim Warrick added 17 and Vince Carter (12) and Josh Childress (10) were also among six Suns in double figures.

"I wanted to have Aaron play at least half the game and then use some of the other guys," Gentry said. "I wanted to see Josh play extended minutes also."

Brooks certainly was effective against the Timberwolves. While the Suns saw an early 15-point lead vanish in the second quarter, Brooks ran the point and made good decisions when Phoenix put the game away in the fourth quarter.

"I was just trying to get comfortable and give Steve a rest," said Brooks after recording his second-best point total since the trade. "The guy plays a lot of minutes and I just wanted to give him a break and the only way to do that is by playing well.

"I wish it could have been a different situation, going to the playoffs. I feel like it is a good team and something to build on."

Nash, who scored six points, finished with nine assists, coming just short of his 50th double-digit assist game this season. Nash is also one double-double away from the 400th of his career.

While the Suns are still trying to get better, the Timberwolves have hit bottom.

With Cleveland's victory at Toronto, Minnesota's 17-62 record is worst in the league. The Timberwolves have lost 11 consecutive games and 22 of its past 26.

"I feel bad for our guys," Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis said. "It's very hard emotionally on the players to go through a season like this."

Michael Beasley scored 24 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who were playing again without the injured All-Star Kevin Love (groin).

Love has now missed six of the past eight games because of a groin injury, but Minnesota coach Kurt Rambis refused to say that the forward is done for the season.

Darko Milicic, who injured his left ankle in Friday's loss to Miami returned briefly for Minnesota. Milicic, however, played only 10 minutes after re-injuring the ankle.

With Gentry mixing his lineups, Minnesota was within 89-85 when Anthony Randolph (19 points) made a pair of free throws with less than 10 minutes to play. The Suns quickly got the lead back to double digits with an 8-2 run and it grew from there.

Consecutive baskets from Gortat gave Phoenix a 105-92 lead with 2:22 to play.

Notes: Minnesota assistant coach Reggie Theus is expected to interview Thursday for the coaching vacancy at UNLV, his alma mater. ... Milicic announced Wednesday he will raffle off his 2004 NBA Championship ring he won with the Detroit Pistons and proceeds will go to support hospitals and organizations fighting life threatening childhood diseases. ... Gortat recorded his eighth double-double in the past 11 games. ... The Suns have won seven consecutive games against Minnesota. ... With Love out, Anthony Tolliver made his first start of the season for Minnesota. ... Minnesota has now allowed opponents to score at least 100 points 59 times this season. They are 6-53 in those games.

Copyright 2011 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited

Suns-Timberwolves notebook

By Phil Miller, for NBA.com
Posted Wednesday April 6, 2011 11:54PM

THE FACTS: The Phoenix Suns played their starters barely half the game Wednesday, yet still easily handed the Minnesota Timberwolves their 12th straight loss, 108-98 in Target Center, giving the Wolves the NBA's worst record. Marcin Gortat was the only Suns player to work more than 30 minutes, and he responded with 20 points and 16 rebounds against a Minnesota team missing Kevin Love, the league's top rebounder. Steve Nash racked up nine assists in just 22 minutes, Grant Hill scored 17 points in 19 minutes, and Aaron Brooks came off the bench with 19 points and six assists. Michael Beasley scored 24 points to lead the 17-62 Wolves, who dropped into the NBA cellar when Cleveland won its 17th game earlier Wednesday night.

QUOTABLE: "It'd be nice to win a few games and have some positive feelings to end the season. But it's somewhat irrelevant, and it'll be forgotten in three or four weeks."
-- Nash, on the lottery-bound Suns' final week.

THE STAT: 55.7 -- Phoenix shooting percentage over the game's final 38 minutes, after Timberwolves center Darko Milicic left with an ankle injury. Without Milicic and Love, Minnesota offered little resistance to Phoenix inside, and the Suns scored 56 points in the paint, compared to the Wolves' 38.

TURNING POINT: Milicic missed two games after spraining his left ankle Friday against Miami, but after testing it before the game, he decided to play. After a slow start, Minnesota trailed by only three when Milicic aggravated the ankle again while grabbing a rebound 10 minutes into the game, and he was unable to return. Without Milicic and Love, who sat out for the sixth time in eight games with a strained left groin, the Wolves were abused inside by Gortat, who scored 20 points, Hakim Warrick, who had five resounding dunks in his seven points, and Josh Childress, who made five of six shots, all of them from in close.

QUOTABLE II: "All young guys want to be the top scorers in the league. They don't understand what it takes to win. You've got to let them flesh it out, and just hope they get it out of their system fast, because then you can move on."
-- Wolves forward Martell Webster, on the growing pains of Minnesota's young roster.

HOT: Having finally recovered fully from a sore back that has cost him nearly half the season, Webster is beginning to look like the player the Wolves thought they were receiving when they traded the 16th pick in the draft for him last June. Webster went 5-5 from the field Wednesday, including a pair of 3-pointers, and scored 13 points, his fourth straight double-figure output.

NOT: Minnesota lost its 12th consecutive game, claimed the worst record in the league, and now appears likely to finish the season on a 15-game losing streak. Two of their remaining three games are against teams with winning records -- Minnesota is 4-41 in such games -- and the other is on the road, where the Wolves are 5-34 and have lost nine straight.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Suns coach Alvin Gentry made clear that Aaron Brooks will play at least half the time in the season's remaining games, in order to reduce the wear on point guard Nash. Brooks played 25:53 on Wednesday, and scored 19 points, his second-highest production since being traded to Phoenix in February, and added six assists.

INSIDE THE ARENA: Vikings receiver Sidney Rice sat in the front row across from the Wolves' bench.

GOOD MOVE: Hill and Nash made only cameo appearances, sitting out the entire second and fourth quarters as Gentry gave extra playing time to his bench. The subs outscored Minnesota 26-21 in the fourth quarter.

BAD MOVE: Luke Ridnour had Nash off-balance midway through the third period and tried to drive past him, then pulled up for a 10-foot jumper. Ridnour underestimated the 36-year-old Nash, who scrambled back and blocked the shot, his third block of the season.

ROOKIE WATCH: Nikola Pekovic tried to fill in for Milicic, but his plodding style wasn't especially effective, particularly on the defensive end, against the quick Suns. Pekovic scored eight points in 19 minutes, but collected only two rebounds.

NOTABLE: Nash's nine assists kept him in the NBA lead at 11.4 per game, but with his minutes reduced the rest of the season, he may have trouble holding off Boston's Rajon Rondo, who averages 11.3. ... Love is questionable for the Wolves' upcoming road trip with a strained groin, and he's not sure whether he will return this season. ... In a last-minute decision, Wolves coach Kurt Rambis gave forward Anthony Tolliver his first start of the season in Love's place, and the veteran responded with 10 points and nine rebounds. ... Milicic announced Wednesday he will auction off his championship ring from the 2004 Detroit Pistons and donate the proceeds to a foundation that raises money for children with life-threatening diseases.

UP NEXT: For the Suns, Friday @ New Orleans, Sunday @ Dallas, Monday vs. Minnesota. For the Timberwolves, Saturday @ Denver, Monday @ Phoenix, Wednesday vs. Houston.

• Suns: Lawal, Pietrus
• Timberwolves: Love

• Suns: --
• Timberwolves: Randolph

• Lead Changes: 3
• Times Tied: 4

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #14 Ed Malloy, #7 Kevin Fehr, #66 Haywoode Workman
• Attendance: 16113
• Duration: 2:01

Phoenix Suns (38-40)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-62)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Milicic vs Gortat (Frye gains possession)
Hill Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Johnson (1 ST)	11:48
	11:36	Milicic Jump Shot: Missed
Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:34
Nash Step Back Jump shot: Missed	11:24
Gortat Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	11:22
Gortat Tip Shot: Missed	11:22
	11:20	Milicic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:04 [MIN 2-0]	Beasley Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Milicic (1 AST)
Dudley Pullup Jump shot: Missed	10:57
	10:55	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:34	Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed
Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:33
Gortat Running Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Nash (1 AST)	10:25 [PHX 2-2]
	10:10	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:09
	09:55	Tolliver Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Gortat Layup Shot: Missed Block: Milicic (1 BLK)	09:49
	09:48	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:42	Beasley Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:41
Hill Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Nash (2 AST)	09:37 [PHX 4-2]
	09:15	Milicic Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Dudley (1 ST)
Dudley Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	09:10 [PHX 6-2]
	08:55	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:55
Hill 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Frye (1 AST)	08:47 [PHX 9-2]
	08:32	Johnson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Nash (1 ST)
Hill Driving Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Nash (3 AST)	08:27 [PHX 11-2]
	08:17	Team Timeout : Regular
	08:04 [MIN 4-11]	Tolliver Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Gortat Jump Shot: Missed	07:50
	07:48	Tolliver Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:38	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	07:37
Gortat Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Beasley (1 ST)	07:34
	07:24	Tolliver 3pt Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	07:23
Hill Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Nash (4 AST)	07:17 [PHX 13-4]
	06:59	Milicic Layup Shot: Missed Block: Gortat (1 BLK)
	06:57	Tolliver Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	06:47	Ridnour Running Jump Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	06:46
Team Timeout : Regular	06:33
Nash Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS)	06:21 [PHX 15-4]
	06:02	Ridnour Foul : Offensive Charge (1 PF)
	06:02	Ridnour Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed	05:51
	05:50	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:36 [MIN 7-15]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Hill Jump Shot: Missed	05:19
	05:18	Tolliver Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	05:08 [MIN 10-15]	Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Beasley (1 AST)
Hill 3pt Shot: Missed	04:51
	04:50	Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:41	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	04:40
Nash Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Hill (1 AST)	04:31 [PHX 17-10]
	04:10 [MIN 12-17]	Beasley Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Dudley Jump Shot: Missed	03:59
Gortat Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)	03:57
Gortat Tip Shot: Made (4 PTS)	03:57 [PHX 19-12]
	03:31	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	03:30
Gortat Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Nash (5 AST)	03:05 [PHX 21-12]
	02:47 [MIN 14-21]	Tolliver Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Frye 3pt Shot: Missed	02:37
	02:35	Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	02:17	Ridnour Floating Jump shot: Missed
	02:16	Milicic Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	02:16 [MIN 16-21]	Milicic Tip Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Gortat Jump Shot: Missed	02:05
	02:04	Tolliver Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	01:50	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	01:49
	01:47	Ridnour Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	01:47	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Flynn
	01:47	Milicic Substitution replaced by Pekovic
Nash Substitution replaced by Brooks	01:47
Hill Substitution replaced by Childress	01:47
	01:39	Johnson Violation:Kicked Ball
Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed	01:30
Gortat Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	01:28
Dudley Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)	01:26
	01:16 [MIN 18-21]	Beasley Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Johnson (1 AST)
Brooks Step Back Jump shot: Missed	01:06
	01:04	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	00:56.7 [MIN 20-21]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Tolliver (1 AST)
	00:45.4	Tolliver Substitution replaced by Randolph
Gortat Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Brooks (1 AST)	00:37.4 [PHX 23-20]
	00:27.4 [MIN 22-23]	Beasley Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Childress Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	00:27.4
	00:27.4 [MIN 23-23]	Beasley Free Throw 1 of 1 (9 PTS)
Dudley 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Brooks (2 AST)	00:07.5 [PHX 26-23]
	00:00.9	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	00:00.3
End of 1st Quarter
Phoenix Suns (38-40)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-62)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:47	Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed
Warrick Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:46
	11:35	Pekovic Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Warrick Jump Shot: Missed	11:23
	11:22	Randolph Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:15	Flynn Jump Shot: Missed
Childress Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:14
Gortat Jump Shot: Missed	10:58
	10:57	Randolph Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:40 [MIN 25-26]	Webster Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Randolph (1 AST)
	10:30	Pekovic Foul : Defense 3 Second (1 PF)
Brooks Free Throw Technical (1 PTS)	10:30 [PHX 27-25]
Carter Step Back Jump shot: Missed	10:18
	10:17	Webster Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:12	Pekovic Turnover : Traveling (1 TO)
Brooks Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	10:00
Gortat Substitution replaced by Siler	10:00
	09:45	Johnson Step Back Jump shot: Missed
Carter Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:44
Siler Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Pekovic (1 ST)	09:33
	09:24	Flynn Jump Shot: Missed
Childress Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:23
	09:18	Pekovic Foul : Personal (2 PF)
	09:18	Johnson Substitution replaced by Beasley
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	09:11
	09:10	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
Siler Foul : Personal (1 PF)	08:57
	08:57
	08:57	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Tolliver
	08:50 [MIN 27-27]	Randolph Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Tolliver (2 AST)
Childress Running Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:34 [PHX 29-27]
	08:31	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Childress (1 ST)
Childress Driving Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:27 [PHX 31-27]
	08:14 [MIN 29-31]	Randolph Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Siler Substitution replaced by Frye	07:56
Brooks Pullup Jump shot: Made (3 PTS)	07:49 [PHX 33-29]
	07:29	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:27
Warrick Driving Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS)	07:11 [PHX 35-29]
	06:58	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	06:57
Warrick Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Carter (1 AST)	06:41 [PHX 37-29]
	06:41	Beasley Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Warrick Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)	06:41 [PHX 38-29]
Brooks Foul : Defense 3 Second (0 PF)	06:31
	06:31 [MIN 30-38]	Beasley Free Throw Technical (10 PTS)
Childress Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	06:20
	06:20 [MIN 31-38]	Tolliver Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	06:20 [MIN 32-38]	Tolliver Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
	06:06	Webster Foul : Shooting (1 PF)
Carter Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	06:06
Team Rebound	06:06
Carter Free Throw 2 of 2 (1 PTS)	06:06 [PHX 39-32]
	05:52	Flynn Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Frye (1 ST)
Warrick Slam Dunk Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Brooks (3 AST)	05:44 [PHX 41-32]
	05:35	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:23	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	05:23
	05:23	Webster Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Carter Free Throw 1 of 2 (2 PTS)	05:23 [PHX 42-32]
Carter Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)	05:23 [PHX 43-32]
Carter Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	05:06
	05:06 [MIN 33-43]	Randolph Free Throw 1 of 2 (5 PTS)
	05:06 [MIN 34-43]	Randolph Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
Brooks Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Warrick (1 AST)	04:55 [PHX 45-34]
	04:45	Flynn 3pt Shot: Missed
Warrick Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:44
Carter 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Warrick (2 AST)	04:38 [PHX 48-34]
	04:29 [MIN 37-48]	Flynn 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Brooks Step Back Jump shot: Made (7 PTS)	04:10 [PHX 50-37]
	04:01	Flynn Pullup Jump shot: Missed
Carter Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:00
Carter Driving Dunk Shot: Made (8 PTS)	03:41 [PHX 52-37]
Carter Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	03:35
	03:35	Flynn Substitution replaced by Ridnour
	03:35	Webster Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	03:35	Team Rebound
	03:35 [MIN 38-52]	Webster Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)
Warrick Foul : Offensive Charge (1 PF)	03:30
Warrick Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	03:30
	03:23 [MIN 40-52]	Randolph Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)
Warrick Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Beasley (2 ST)	03:01
	02:55 [MIN 42-52]	Tolliver Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Beasley (2 AST)
Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS)	02:35 [PHX 54-42]
	02:28 [MIN 44-54]	Webster Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)
Brooks Driving Layup Shot: Missed	02:14
	02:13	Randolph Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	02:08 [MIN 46-54]	Ridnour Pullup Jump shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Randolph (2 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	01:58
	01:54	Randolph Foul : Personal (1 PF)
Warrick Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)	01:54 [PHX 55-46]
Warrick Free Throw 2 of 2 (9 PTS)	01:54 [PHX 56-46]
	01:44 [MIN 48-56]	Beasley Running Bank shot: Made (12 PTS)
Carter Jump Shot: Missed	01:25
	01:24	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	01:06 [MIN 50-56]	Beasley Running Bank shot: Made (14 PTS)
Brooks Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Beasley (3 ST)	00:52.9
	00:48.9	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Frye (2 ST)
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	00:44.9
	00:44.2	Team Rebound
	00:35.9	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	00:34.9	Tolliver Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	00:16.7 [MIN 53-56]	Webster 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Tolliver (3 AST)
Brooks 3pt Shot: Missed	00:01.9
	00:00.9	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
End of 2nd Quarter
Phoenix Suns (38-40)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-62)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
	11:46 [MIN 55-56]	Beasley Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS)
Frye 3pt Shot: Missed	11:25
	11:24	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	11:13	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	11:12
Nash Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Beasley (4 ST)	11:02
	10:55 [MIN 57-56]	Ridnour Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Beasley (3 AST)
Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed	10:30
	10:29	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:19	Tolliver Jump Shot: Missed
Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	10:18
Nash Running Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS)	10:09 [PHX 58-57]
	09:53	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	09:52	Team Rebound
	09:38	Ridnour Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Gortat (1 ST)
Gortat Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Frye (2 AST)	09:17 [PHX 60-57]
	08:57	Johnson Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO)
	08:41	Ridnour Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Gortat Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Nash (6 AST)	08:32 [PHX 62-57]
	08:19	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed
Frye Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	08:18
Frye 3pt Shot: Missed	08:01
	08:00	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
Gortat Foul : Personal (1 PF)	07:54
	07:44	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Nash Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	07:43
	07:37	Beasley Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
Gortat Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	07:37 [PHX 63-57]
Gortat Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	07:37 [PHX 64-57]
	07:26 [MIN 59-64]	Ridnour Pullup Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)
Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Johnson (2 ST)	07:13
	07:03 [MIN 61-64]	Pekovic Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Johnson (2 AST)
Hill 3pt Shot: Missed	06:42
	06:41	Pekovic Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:30	Beasley Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	06:29
Frye 3pt Shot: Missed	06:17
	06:16	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	05:59 [MIN 64-64]	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Hill 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Dudley (1 AST)	05:39 [PHX 67-64]
	05:18 [MIN 66-67]	Pekovic Slam Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (3 AST)
Hill Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Nash (7 AST)	05:02 [PHX 69-66]
	05:02	Tolliver Foul : Shooting (2 PF)
	05:02	Team Timeout : Regular
Frye Substitution replaced by Warrick	05:02
Hill Free Throw 1 of 1 (15 PTS)	05:02 [PHX 70-66]
	04:51	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Hill Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	04:50
Warrick 3pt Shot: Missed	04:26
	04:24	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:8)
	04:12	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed Block: Nash (1 BLK)
Gortat Rebound (Off:3 Def:7)	04:10
	04:08	Beasley Foul : Shooting (3 PF)
Hill Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)	04:08 [PHX 71-66]
Hill Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)	04:08 [PHX 72-66]
	03:53	Johnson Step Back Jump shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:3 Def:8)	03:51
Dudley Running Reverse Layup Shot: Missed	03:43
	03:42	Beasley Rebound (Off:0 Def:9)
	03:32	Beasley Floating Jump shot: Missed
	03:30	Tolliver Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)
Dudley Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	03:24
	03:24 [MIN 67-72]	Beasley Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)
	03:24	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Randolph
Hill Substitution replaced by Childress	03:24
	03:24 [MIN 68-72]	Beasley Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)
Warrick Layup Shot: Missed	03:08
Dudley Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	03:07
Dudley Putback Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)	03:06 [PHX 74-68]
Gortat Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	02:52
Team Timeout : Regular	02:52
	02:52	Johnson Substitution replaced by Webster
	02:52 [MIN 69-74]	Randolph Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)
	02:52 [MIN 70-74]	Randolph Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)
Warrick Jump Shot: Missed	02:37
Team Rebound	02:37
	02:37	Randolph Foul : Loose Ball (2 PF)
Dudley Substitution replaced by Carter	02:37
Gortat Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	02:37
Team Rebound	02:37
Gortat Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)	02:37 [PHX 75-70]
	02:23	Ridnour Foul : Offensive Charge (4 PF)
	02:23	Ridnour Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Nash Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Ridnour (1 ST)	02:04
	02:01	Beasley Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Childress (2 ST)
Warrick Slam Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Childress (1 AST)	01:58 [PHX 77-70]
	01:42	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
	01:41	Beasley Rebound (Off:1 Def:9)
	01:41 [MIN 72-77]	Beasley Tip Shot: Made (20 PTS)
Gortat Layup Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Nash (8 AST)	01:31 [PHX 79-72]
	01:22	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
	01:21	Tolliver Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)
	01:21	Tolliver Tip Shot: Missed
	01:20	Tolliver Rebound (Off:5 Def:3)
	01:20 [MIN 74-79]	Tolliver Tip Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Warrick Slam Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Nash (9 AST)	01:06 [PHX 81-74]
	00:49.7 [MIN 77-81]	Webster 3pt Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (4 AST)
Nash Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Beasley (5 ST)	00:46.9
	00:28.9	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
Carter Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	00:27.9
	00:06.2	Tolliver Foul : Personal (3 PF)
Nash Substitution replaced by Brooks	00:06.2
Gortat Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	00:06.2
Team Rebound	00:06.2
Gortat Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)	00:06.2 [PHX 82-77]
	00:01.9	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
Carter Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	00:00.9
Carter 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.2
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 3rd Quarter
Phoenix Suns (38-40)		Minnesota Timberwolves (17-62)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
(12:00) [MIN] Randolph Technical
(12:00) [PHX 83-77] Brooks Free Throw Technical (10 PTS)
Brooks Pullup Jump shot: Made (12 PTS)	11:43 [PHX 85-77]
	11:31 [MIN 79-85]	Johnson Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Flynn (1 AST)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	11:06
	11:04	Webster Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	10:54	Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed
	10:53	Flynn Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Lopez Foul : Shooting (1 PF)	10:51
	10:51 [MIN 80-85]	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)
	10:51 [MIN 81-85]	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 (8 PTS)
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	10:34
Childress Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	10:33
Childress Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	10:27 [PHX 87-81]
	10:09 [MIN 83-87]	Randolph Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Childress Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Brooks (4 AST)	09:51 [PHX 89-83]
	09:25	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
	09:24	Team Rebound
	09:23	Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed Block: Johnson (1 BLK)	09:00
	08:58	Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Lopez Foul : Shooting (2 PF)	08:53
	08:53
	08:53 [MIN 84-89]	Randolph Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)
	08:53 [MIN 85-89]	Randolph Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)
Carter Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Childress (2 AST)	08:37 [PHX 91-85]
	08:20	Johnson Jump Shot: Missed
Warrick Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	08:19
Childress Running Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)	08:11 [PHX 93-85]
	07:49	Randolph Jump Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:48
Brooks Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS)	07:28 [PHX 95-85]
	07:14 [MIN 87-95]	Johnson Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Webster (1 AST)
Carter Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Brooks (5 AST)	07:00 [PHX 97-87]
	06:44 [MIN 89-97]	Randolph Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Flynn (2 AST)
Warrick Turnover : Lost Ball (3 TO) Steal:Johnson (3 ST)	06:29
Lopez Foul : Personal (3 PF)	06:26
	06:26	Flynn Substitution replaced by Ridnour
	06:26	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Tolliver
	06:26	Johnson Substitution replaced by Beasley
	06:14	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Childress (3 ST)
Carter 3pt Shot: Missed	06:00
	05:59	Tolliver Rebound (Off:5 Def:4)
	05:49	Beasley Layup Shot: Missed Block: Carter (1 BLK)
	05:48	Team Rebound
	05:48	Team Timeout : Regular
Lopez Substitution replaced by Gortat	05:48
	05:45	Beasley Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Brooks (1 ST)
Carter 3pt Shot: Missed	05:36
	05:34	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	05:20	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:3 Def:9)	05:19
Brooks Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Warrick (3 AST)	05:02 [PHX 99-89]
	04:45 [MIN 91-99]	Randolph Jump Shot: Made (18 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (5 AST)
Carter 3pt Shot: Missed	04:22
Childress Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	04:21
Warrick Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Brooks (6 AST)	04:07 [PHX 101-91]
	03:50	Beasley Jump Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:3 Def:10)	03:49
Warrick Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Ridnour (2 ST)	03:43
Brooks Foul : Personal (1 PF)	03:39
Carter Foul : Shooting (3 PF)	03:24
Carter Substitution replaced by Dowdell	03:24
	03:24 [MIN 92-101]	Randolph Free Throw 1 of 2 (19 PTS)
	03:24	Randolph Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:3 Def:11)	03:24
Gortat Jump Shot: Missed Block: Randolph (1 BLK)	03:07
Gortat Rebound (Off:4 Def:11)	03:06
Gortat Jump Shot: Made (20 PTS)	03:02 [PHX 103-92]
	02:36	Randolph Step Back Jump shot: Missed
	02:35	Beasley Rebound (Off:2 Def:9)
	02:33 [MIN 94-103]	Beasley Layup Shot: Made (22 PTS)
Warrick Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Childress (3 AST)	02:22 [PHX 105-94]
	02:22	Team Timeout : Short
Team Timeout : Regular	02:22
	02:13 [MIN 96-105]	Beasley Running Layup Shot: Made (24 PTS)
Childress Dunk Shot: Missed	01:52
	01:51	Ridnour Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	01:46	Randolph Layup Shot: Missed
Brooks Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	01:44
Brooks 3pt Shot: Made (19 PTS)	01:27 [PHX 108-96]
	01:27	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:12 [MIN 98-108]	Webster Slam Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Randolph (3 AST)
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	00:48.0
	00:43.9	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
Gortat Rebound (Off:4 Def:12)	00:42.9
Warrick 3pt Shot: Missed	00:23.9
Team Rebound	00:20.6
End of 4th Quarter

broadcast information
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