Mavericks-Timberwolves Preview

By SANTOSH VENKATARAMAN
Posted Dec 15 2012 1:18PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves can breathe a sigh of relief since an injury to Kevin Love doesn't appear to be serious.

Now they may get a boost from Ricky Rubio.

Rubio will make his long-awaited season debut for the Timberwolves in Saturday night's home matchup with the Dallas Mavericks.

Minnesota (11-9) enters in search of a season-high fourth straight win after Friday's 113-102 victory at New Orleans. Love hurt his right thumb, made only 4 of 18 shots for 14 points and grabbed nine rebounds, but X-rays on the thumb were negative.

"I'm a little down because I'm trying to work through stuff with my hand and then this happens," said Love, who missed the first nine games with a broken hand and has shot 7 for 35 in his last two. "We won. That's keeping me from out of the gutter."

Rubio, meanwhile, was cleared to play early Saturday after practicing with the team for nearly two weeks. This will be his first game since tearing knee ligaments in March.

Coach Rick Adelman has said the next step was "to get him in games and see how he reacts" and notes that the Timberwolves can't predict how many minutes they will give him at first.

Rubio averaged 10.6 points and 8.2 assists as a rookie last season - figures that were 13.7 and 9.0 in three games against Dallas (11-12).

Even with Love playing a limited role Friday, Minnesota's frontcourt dominated. Nikola Pekovic made 14 of 18 shots for a career-high 31 points and Andrei Kirilenko added 21 and 11 boards.

Kirilenko has returned for every game of this win streak after missing four with back spasms.

"He's terrific," Adelman said. "He's all over the court, and he's the glue of our team. He really is."

A healthier Timberwolves team could make this task even tougher for the Mavericks, who fell 90-82 at home to Minnesota on Nov. 12 when Love was out. Pekovic had 20 points and Kirilenko added 16 and 11 rebounds as the Timberwolves held a 49-35 edge on the glass.

Dallas will try to regroup after finishing with its lowest point total in Friday's 95-74 loss at Toronto. Leading scorer O.J. Mayo was held to 10 points on 2-of-8 shooting and committed six of the Mavs' 17 turnovers.

"Just got to get better," Mayo said. "Can't keep turning the ball over and expect to help this team win."

The Mavs went 0 for 13 from 3-point range as their streak of 1,108 games with at least one 3 came to an end. They allowed 26 points off their turnovers.

"We played poorly and they played great," coach Rick Carlisle said. "I don't know how else to sum it up. It's as simple as that."

Minnesota has lost four straight games in the second halves of back-to-back contests while Dallas is 2-3 in such games.

The Mavs have won 10 of their last 11 visits to Minnesota.

Wolves swingman Josh Howard, a former Maverick, hyperextended his right knee in the third quarter Friday and did not return.

Rubio's return sparks Wolves to win over Mavericks

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Posted Dec 16 2012 12:28AM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) The white sleeve on Ricky Rubio's left knee served as a reminder of what he went through to get back on the court.

While it served to protect his surgically repaired joint, it clearly does nothing to constrict the creativity and unbridled joy that made him one of the most exciting players in the league before he went down last season.

Nine long months later, it's as if Rubio never left.

Zipping passes between his legs to his Timberwolves teammates in a dazzling season debut, Rubio had nine assists and eight points in 18 minutes of Minnesota's 114-106 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday night.

Andrei Kirilenko scored five of his 14 points in overtime while Rubio watched from the bench because of a minutes restriction.

"I didn't feel nothing in the knee," Rubio said. "I feel great. ... I feel 100 percent. I have some issues in other parts now but it's just like a normal thing."

Nikola Pekovic scored 21 points for the Timberwolves, who won their fourth straight game despite playing without All-Star Kevin Love because of an illness.

O.J. Mayo had 20 points, six assists and five rebounds and Shawn Marion had 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks, who led by 13 early before Rubio came off the bench for the first time since he tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee in March.

"He brings us all energy, man. No words can really describe it," forward Derrick Williams said. "You've just got to feel it out there on the court."

Alexey Shved had 18 points and six assists and the Wolves scored the first 10 points in overtime to send an amped crowd home happy.

Derek Fisher scored 20 points for the Mavericks, who turned the ball over 20 times. They led 98-96 after Fisher's four-point play with 2:50 to go.

Rubio fed Kirilenko for two free throws, then dived on the floor for a loose ball and later knocked down two free throws to tie the game at 100.

But he missed an open 3-pointer with a few seconds remaining that would have won the game in regulation.

No matter. Kirilenko hit two free throws, scored a three-point play and Pekovic finished off the Mavs with a three-point play of his own.

"It's amazing. They give me a great gift, that `W' in overtime," Rubio said. "I think we're going to do big things with this team this year. Just showing how we played in the overtime ... It was amazing."

Could it have gone any better?

"Yeah," he said. "If I make that shot."

More than 18,000 packed into Target Center in anticipation of Rubio's return and erupted at the mere sight of his face on the video board during pregame festivities. He received a standing ovation when he got off the bench to enter the game for the first time with 1:47 to go in the first quarter.

The Wolves were down 28-18 at that point and badly in need of a boost.

With chants of "Ole! Ole ole ole!" serving as the backdrop, the flash that had been absent for nine months came quickly.

In his fourth minute of game time, Rubio put his back to the basket on the left wing, then bounced a pass between his legs that zipped right past Mavericks forward Elton Brand's legs as well to an open Greg Stiemsma for a layup that sent the Target Center crowd into a frenzy.

"It's great. I can't say with words how it feels," Rubio said. "It gives you an extra motivation to play here. I love it. I'm so proud to be playing for this team and in front of this crowd."

This is what they've been waiting for. Sure, they've been impressed with how the Wolves have navigated injuries to Rubio, Love, Brandon Roy and four others to win 11 of their first 20 games. But the team was 18th in the league in attendance coming into the night, with many saving their money for Rubio's return.

They got their money's worth on Saturday night. Rubio had four points, four assists and a steal in his first eight-minute shift, and the Wolves shifted into overdrive with Rubio's foot never letting off the gas. Even when he went to the bench, the Wolves closed the period on a 12-3 run.

"He's a terrific player and he played well," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said. "You couldn't tell he's been out for a year. So give him credit."

The Mavericks can only hope that the return of their star has the same effect. Dirk Nowitzki hasn't played this season after having surgery on his right knee. There is still no timetable for his return.

NOTES: A bit of a skirmish broke out in the second quarter after Stiemsma leveled Fisher with a screen in the backcourt. Fisher took exception, feeling that Stiemsma put too much oomph into it and had to be held back by teammates. ... Williams had 16 points and six rebounds for Minnesota. ... Fisher scored 20 in a regular season game for the first time since Dec. 20, 2008 when he scored 27 for the Lakers against Orlando.

Notebook: Timberwolves 114, Mavericks 106

Phil Miller, for NBA.com
Posted Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:21 AM - Updated Sun Dec 16, 2012 1:21 AM

THE FACTS: Ricky Rubio was limited by doctors' orders to just 18 minutes in his return from major knee surgery on Saturday, but he made them count. Minnesota's creative point guard handed out nine assists in his season debut, helping the Minnesota Timberwolves win their fourth straight game, a 114-106 overtime victory over the Dallas Mavericks.

Rubio, who tore the ACL and LCL ligaments in his right knee on March 9 and had reconstructive surgery on March 21, entered the game to a standing ovation with 1:47 left in the first quarter, and he jolted a sluggish Wolves offense to life. But when Minnesota missed four shots at a game-winner in regulation, including a 3-pointer from Rubio that bounced off the front rim, the Spaniard, his allotted minutes all used up, had to sit and watch his teammates dominate the Mavs in overtime, scoring the first 10 points to hand Dallas its third straight loss.

Nikola Pekovic had 18 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, who played without All-Star forward Kevin Love, while Andrei Kirilenko added 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Alexey Shved had 18 points and six assists. Dallas was led by 20 points apiece by starting guard Derek Fisher -- his first 20-point regular-season game in almost four years -- and O.J. Mayo.

QUOTABLE: "When he has the ball in his hands, I'm a lot better coach."

-- Minnesota coach Rick Adelman, on the effect Ricky Rubio had on the Wolves

THE STAT: 4 -- Assists by Rubio on the Wolves' first six baskets with him at point guard (he scored one of the other two hoops himself), announcing with authority that he's still the Wolves' best ball-handler. Rubio finished with a game-high nine assists in 18 minutes.

TURNING POINT: Minnesota had the ball with 34 seconds remaining in a tie game, and though they missed four straight shots and tips that would have won the game in regulation, they headed back to the bench, and into overtime, with obvious confidence, laughing and gesturing in frustration over their sudden inability to score. It wasn't a fluke -- Minnesota got an Alexey Shved dunk off the overtime tip, and scored the first 10 points of the extra period to put the game away quickly.

QUOTABLE II: "I cannot say with words how it felt to be on the court again, and to hear the fans cheering. I dream of this day for a long time."

-- Rubi

HOT: Ricky Rubio entered Saturday's game to a standing ovation with Minnesota trailing by 10, and he left to another with Minnesota down only two. In between, he put on a show that had an already electric crowd ecstatic. He threw one pass behind his back, reached around a defender's back to make another, and in the highlight of the night, bounced a pass between his legs to Greg Stiemsma under the basket for a dunk

NOT: The Mavericks have suddenly lost their ability to dominate Minnesota. After winning 18 of 19 meetings, the Mavericks -- who have now lost three straight games overall -- have dropped four of their last five matchups with the Timberwolves.

FANTASY SPOTLIGHT: Derek Fisher has been declared washed up several times, but he keeps coming back. Just two weeks after signing with Dallas, Fisher was 5-for-8 from the field, 3-for-5 on 3-pointers, to finish with 20 points -- his first 20-point game in the regular season in almost four years. Fisher, who has averaged 12.3 points over his last four games, last scored 20 in a regular-season game on Dec. 20, 2008, against Orlando, while Fisher was with the Lakers.

GOOD MOVE: Dallas coach Rick Carlisle went with a small lineup in the fourth quarter, using three guards and playing forward Elton Brand at center. The lineup helped produce open shots for Fisher, and the 38-year-old point guard responded with nine points in the quarter, helping close the Wolves' 10-point lead.

BAD MOVE: Vince Carter was hitting shots and finding teammates for easy shots, producing nine points and four assists off the bench. But he was having difficulty guarding Shved, too, and the result was six fouls, Carter's first disqualification since the 2010 Eastern Conference finals, that kept him out of the game's final three minutes and overtime.

ROOKIE WATCH: Forward Jae Crowder played for the first time since Monday, after missing two games with the flu, but he still appeared weakened by his condition. In 12 minutes off the bench, Crowder missed both of two shots he took, and didn't collect an assist or a rebound.

NOTABLE: Brand came off the bench to score 15 points with seven rebounds for the Mavericks. ... Minnesota forward Kevin Love, who reinjured his right thumb late in Minnesota's victory in New Orleans on Friday, decided about an hour before game time to try to play anyway. But he was also suffering from the flu, and owner Glen Taylor sent him home about 10 minutes before the team took the floor. Dante Cunningham started in Love's place, making his first start of the season. ... Also out for the Wolves was reserve forward Josh Howard, who hyperextended his right knee during the second quarter in New Orleans on Friday. Howard is expected to travel with the team to Orlando for Monday's game, though his status for the game is unknown. ... Mavs forward Dirk Nowitzki gave a three-word answer to a Dallas Morning News reporter who inquired about his recovery from offseason knee surgery: "I'm not close." Nowitzki has yet to play this season.

UP NEXT: For the Mavericks, Tuesday vs. Philadelphia, Thursday vs. Miami, Friday @ Memphis. For the Timberwolves, Monday @ Orlando, Tuesday @ Miami, Thursday vs. Oklahoma City.

• Mavericks: Cunningham, Nowitzki
• Timberwolves: Budinger, Roy

• Mavericks: --
• Timberwolves: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #10 Ron Garretson, #30 John Goble, #72 JT Orr
• Attendance: 18173
• Duration: 2:33