Hornets-Timberwolves Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Mar 16 2013 2:11PM

The Minnesota Timberwolves haven't earned too many wins over the past couple of months but they recorded a lopsided victory during a visit from the New Orleans Hornets in February.

The Timberwolves will try to prevail again in the rematch between the two struggling clubs Sunday night at the Target Center.

Minnesota (22-41) is 6-26 since Jan. 9 but hardly looked like a lowly club when facing New Orleans (22-44) on Feb. 2. The Timberwolves led by 19 after one quarter and 27 at halftime en route to a 115-86 victory.

Minnesota, though, enters this game against New Orleans even more injury plagued. Kevin Love and Chase Budinger were among those that missed the previous matchup but Andrei Kirilenko and Nikola Pekovic have also had extended absences lately.

Kirilenko and Pekovic were among the five Timberwolves in double figures in last month's victory, and Dante Cunningham had a team-best 18 points on a franchise-best 9-of-9 shooting. Pekovic, who has a strained abdominal, has averaged a team-best 21.0 points in this season's three matchups with the Hornets and had a career-high 31 in a 113-102 victory in New Orleans on Dec. 14.

Despite being short-handed, the Timberwolves led by 20 points early in the third quarter Friday in Houston but went on to lose 108-100. Derrick Williams scored 19 points to extend his career-best streak of consecutive double-digit performances to 11 games, and J.J. Barea also had 19.

"When you're playing nine guys ... you're just trying to survive," coach Rick Adelman said.

Minnesota did better than just get by in its most recent home game, routing Western Conference-leading San Antonio 107-83 on Tuesday. It has won two of three at the Target Center.

New Orleans, meanwhile, is on the verge of matching its longest road losing streak of the season after falling 96-87 in Washington on Friday.

"We as a team didn't play well. We didn't make shots like we should have. It seemed to be more of a team flow issue," said guard Eric Gordon, who scored a team-best 20. "We as a team were not in sync ... We just have to buckle down."

The Hornets haven't dropped six straight road games since Dec. 8-21, and head into Minnesota having lost 10 of 13 overall. Before last month's loss at the Target Center, New Orleans had won in nine of its previous 11 visits.

Gordon missed the last game against the Timberwolves because of his nagging knee problems but enters this one having scored 20 or more points in back-to-back games. The oft-injured guard hasn't played in Minnesota since he had 30 points in a loss for the Los Angeles Clippers on Nov. 17, 2010.

Gordon had 16 points while Greivis Vasquez registered 18 points and 13 assists in a 104-92 home victory over Minnesota on Jan. 11.

Copyright 2013 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

Williams scores 28 as Wolves edge Hornets, 97-95

Posted Mar 17 2013 11:17PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) For the past few weeks, Minnesota has gotten more of the production from Derrick Williams they expected from the former No. 2 overall draft pick.

On Sunday, the Timberwolves also got the sort of team production they would've expected if their key players had stayed healthy this season.

Williams scored a career-high 28 points, and Minnesota got huge lifts in the final seconds from Nikola Pekovic and Andrei Kirilenko and beat the New Orleans Hornets 97-95.

Pekovic and Kirilenko each hadn't played in more than two weeks because of injuries, but Pekovic hit two late free throws after grabbing an offensive rebound with 14.5 seconds left, and Kirilenko blocked the Hornets' last two shot attempts.

"We had energy at the end and that helped when we have more bodies," said Ricky Rubio, who finished with 16 points and six assists, and completed a crucial three-point play in the final minute that cut New Orleans' lead to one. "We can be more aggressive and we don't run out of energy in the last quarter."

Greivis Vasquez led the Hornets with 24 points and Robin Lopez had 20 points and 11 rebounds.

Minnesota shot 56.3 percent, but New Orleans stayed within striking distance largely because of its work on the offensive boards, scoring 20 second-chance points. Even on bad misses, Lopez was there to rebound or tip the ball to a teammate to keep possessions alive.

But turnovers hurt as New Orleans committed 20 - leading to 18 points for the Timberwolves.

"I mean honestly, we turned the ball over 20 times, they shot more free throws than we did, and we're up four with one minute left," Vasquez said. "So no excuses, we just lost."

The Hornets led by eight thanks to an 18-7 second-quarter run, but Minnesota stayed in it with some aggressive play from Williams, who had his seventh 20-point game of the season and tied a season high with three 3-pointers.

Williams found himself the subject of several trade rumors this year after receiving sporadic playing time under coach Rick Adelman. But he's been surprisingly consistently lately, which has led to steadier playing time with injured All-Star Kevin Love still out with a broken hand.

"I really feel like I'm getting a lot of my confidence back," Williams said. "Not just shooting, just overall. A lot of people have a lot of faith in me as well."

Williams missed a couple of crucial free throws late in the fourth quarter, though, and Vasquez made two 3s to give the Hornets a three-point lead. But Rubio completed his three-point play with 48 seconds left to pull Minnesota to 95-94.

"We had a chance to win the game," Hornets coach Monty Williams said. "We were up by four and we fouled a guy going to the basket and gave them a three-point play. You can't explain that kind of stuff."

After Gordon missed a mid-range jumper on New Orleans' ensuing possession, Pekovic was fouled on a tip and went to the line. In his first game back from an abdominal strain, Pekovic had been 1 for 4 from the line but sank both shots to give the Wolves the lead with 14.5 seconds left.

On the Hornets' next possession, Gordon drove the lane but was blocked by Kirilenko, who had missed nine games with a left-calf strain.

Kirilenko added one free throw and then blocked Roger Mason's 3-point attempt as time expired.

"They told me I had to keep his minutes down," Adelman said. "I fudged it a little bit but I had to get him out because I had a feeling we were going to need him at the end of the game for a defensive play."

NOTES: Pekovic had 13 points and six rebounds. Kirilenko had eight points and five rebounds . ... Williams has scored in double figures in his last 12 games, the longest such streak of his career. ... Hornets F and former Wolves big man Lou Amundson made his first visit to Minnesota since being acquired on March 12.

Copyright 2013 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

Notebook: Wolves 97, Hornets 95

Jim Beilby, for NBA.com
Posted Sun Mar 17, 2013 11:35 PM - Updated Sun Mar 17, 2013 11:35 PM

THE FACTS: The Minnesota Timberwolves were happy to get Nikola Pekovic and Andrei Kirilenko back and thrilled when they stepped up at crunch time and lead Minnesota to a 97-95 victory over the New Orleans Hornets. Pekovic and Kirilenko had been sidelined since the end of February and in the opening three quarters, the rust was evident. Going into the fourth quarter, Pekovic and Kirilenko were a combined -31 in terms of plus/minus. But in the final seconds, they showed the Minnesota fans what they had been missing, Pekovic with a big offensive rebound and a pair a free throws and Kirilenko with a pair of blocked shots.

For the first 58 minutes of the game, it was Derrick Williams that stepped up in a big way for Minnesota. He finished with a career-high 28 points and seven rebounds. Ricky Rubio had an efficient 16 points on 7-for-11 shooting and a key basket in the final minute of the game. Greivis Vasquez led the way for the Hornets with 25 points, but he had to take 25 shots to do it. And Robin Lopez got the best of Minnesota's frontcourt for most of the night, scoring 20 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.

QUOTABLE: "I basically played without any basketball practice. This tonight was my practice. It is the first five-on-five action I have seen in like three weeks and it was very tough. I am feeling that I am a step short or a step slower. It is going to take a few games."

-- Kirilenko

THE STAT: The Hornets outscored the Wolves 58-46 in the paint and outrebounded Minnesota 52-33. But Minnesota shot 56.3 percent from the floor and Minnesota also got to the line 27 times, converting 20 of those freethrows.

TURNING POINT: Trailing by four with one minute to play, Rubio got an old-fashioned 3-pointer to close the gap to one. After an Eric Gordon isolation on Luke Ridnour rimmed out, Pekovic grabbed an offensive board off a Williams miss and was fouled on the put back. His two free throws gave Minnesota a one-point lead with 14.5 seconds to play. New Orleans went to the well again, isolating Gordon on Ridnour. Gordon got past Ridnour and was in a position to give the Hornets a victory, only to have Kirilenko swat his shot out of the air. Kirilenko also blocked a last-second heave by Roger Mason, securing Minnesota's victory.

QUOTABLE II: "Well 20 turnovers didn't help. But we had a chance to win the game. We were up by four and we fouled a guy going to the basket and we give them a three-point play. You can't explain that kind of stuff. Then we have the ball and a chance to score a bucket and we can't score. I thought Eric had a good look, but he goes to the hole and gets his shot blocked."

-- New Orleans coach Monty Williams

HOT: Lopez is averaging only 11.1 points (and 7.5 over the last four), but he had 10 points in the third quarter and thoroughly outplayed Minnesota's frontcourt.

NOT: Pekovic was 1-for-4 from the free throw line when he stepped up to take his two shots in the final seconds of the game. He made the shots, giving him a 50 percent night at the line.

NOTABLE: New Orleans' next seven games will be at home. ... In their remaining games, only Portland and Orlando face more teams with a winning record than Minnesota. ... After starting with a respectable 12-9 record, Minnesota has plummeted in the standings, going 6-26 since Jan. 9.

UP NEXT: For the Wolves, Monday @ Memphis, Thursday @ Sacramento, Friday @ Phoenix. For the Hornets, Monday vs. Golden State, Wednesday vs. Boston, Friday vs. Memphis.

• Hornets: Rivers, Smith
• Timberwolves: Budinger, Lee, Roy

• Hornets: --
• Timberwolves: --

• Lead Changes: 16
• Times Tied: 8

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #22 Bill Spooner, #73 Tre Maddox, #38 Michael Smith
• Attendance: 14246
• Duration: 2:17

New Orleans Hornets (22-45)		Minnesota Timberwolves (23-41)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Pekovic vs Lopez (Rubio gains possession)
Gordon Foul: Personal (1 PF)	11:49
	11:37 [MIN 2-0]	Rubio Pullup Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)
Davis Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	11:19
Davis Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	11:19
	11:06 [MIN 4-0]	Pekovic Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)
Davis Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Gordon (1 AST)	10:55 [NOH 2-4]
Aminu Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	10:33
	10:33	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	10:33	Team Rebound
	10:33 [MIN 5-2]	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)
Gordon Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	10:15 [NOH 4-5]
	09:57	Pekovic Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Gordon (1 ST)
Davis Driving Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (1 AST)	09:51 [NOH 6-5]
	09:21 [MIN 7-6]	Ridnour Step Back Jump shot: Made (2 PTS)
Lopez Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)	08:58
	08:36	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed
Gordon Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	08:35
Gordon Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)	08:29 [NOH 8-7]
	08:29	Ridnour Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)
Gordon Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)	08:29 [NOH 9-7]
Lopez Foul: Personal (1 PF)	08:14
	08:09	Williams Turnaround Jump Shot: Missed
	08:07	Pekovic Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	08:07 [MIN 9-9]	Pekovic Tip Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Lopez Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Rubio (1 ST)	07:52
	07:35	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:35
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	07:22
Lopez Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:21
Lopez Tip Shot: Missed	07:21
	07:20	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:07	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
Vasquez Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:06
Gordon 3pt Shot: Missed	06:58
Vasquez Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	06:57
Vasquez Running Bank shot: Made (2 PTS)	06:49 [NOH 11-9]
	06:29	Ridnour Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Gordon (2 ST)
Vasquez Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Davis (1 AST)	06:25 [NOH 13-9]
	06:09	Kirilenko Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Vasquez Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	06:00
Gordon Foul: Personal (2 PF)	05:46
	05:46	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:46	Kirilenko Substitution replaced by Gelabale
	05:34	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed
	05:33	Pekovic Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	05:33 [MIN 11-13]	Pekovic Tip Shot: Made (7 PTS)
Vasquez Floating Jump shot: Made (6 PTS)	05:15 [NOH 15-11]
	04:53	Williams Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Aminu (1 ST)
Davis Driving Slam Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (2 AST)	04:49 [NOH 17-11]
Gordon Substitution replaced by Mason Jr.	04:30
	04:26 [MIN 13-17]	Ridnour Running Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rubio (1 AST)
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	04:10
Lopez Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	04:09
Lopez Putback Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	04:08 [NOH 19-13]
	03:54	Pekovic Foul: Offensive (1 PF)
	03:54	Pekovic Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Davis Substitution replaced by Anderson	03:54
Lopez Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (3 AST)	03:40 [NOH 21-13]
	03:19	Rubio Jump Shot: Missed
	03:18	Pekovic Rebound (Off:3 Def:0)
	03:09 [MIN 15-21]	Ridnour Driving Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	02:51
Lopez Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	02:50
Lopez Layup Shot: Missed	02:48
Lopez Rebound (Off:4 Def:1)	02:47
Lopez Tip Shot: Made (6 PTS)	02:47 [NOH 23-15]
	02:25 [MIN 18-23]	Rubio 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Lopez Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Mason Jr. (1 AST)	02:02 [NOH 25-18]
	01:46 [MIN 20-25]	Pekovic Slam Dunk Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)
	01:32	Ridnour Foul: Personal Block (2 PF)
Team Timeout : Regular	01:32
	01:32	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Stiemsma
	01:32	Rubio Substitution replaced by Shved
	01:32	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Barea
Aminu Substitution replaced by Harris	01:32
Anderson Layup Shot: Missed	01:19
	01:18	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	01:07 [MIN 22-25]	Williams Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Anderson Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)	01:07
Lopez Substitution replaced by Amundson	01:07
	01:07 [MIN 23-25]	Williams Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)
Anderson Jump Shot: Missed	00:49.9
	00:48.9	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	00:43.6 [MIN 25-25]	Williams Slam Dunk Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Barea (1 AST)
Vasquez Floating Jump shot: Made (8 PTS)	00:24.4 [NOH 27-25]
	00:00.7 [MIN 28-27]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Gelabale (1 AST)
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.2
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 1st Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (22-45)		Minnesota Timberwolves (23-41)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
Amundson Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Harris (1 AST)	11:42 [NOH 29-28]
Harris Foul: Shooting Block (1 PF) (2 FTA)	11:25
	11:25 [MIN 29-29]	Barea Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	11:25 [MIN 30-29]	Barea Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Mason Jr. Jump Shot: Missed	10:59
Anderson Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	10:58
Roberts 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)	10:49 [NOH 32-30]
	10:23 [MIN 33-32]	Shved 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Anderson Jump Shot: Missed	10:05
	10:04	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	09:58	Stiemsma Foul: Offensive (1 PF)
	09:58	Stiemsma Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
Anderson Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)	09:41
	09:25	Gelabale 3pt Shot: Missed
	09:23	Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	09:22 [MIN 35-32]	Cunningham Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Amundson Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	09:08
Amundson Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	09:08
	09:08	Gelabale Substitution replaced by Kirilenko
	08:50 [MIN 37-32]	Cunningham Running Bank shot: Made (4 PTS)
Mason Jr. Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Amundson (1 AST)	08:26 [NOH 34-37]
Roberts Foul: Shooting Block (1 PF) (2 FTA)	08:17
	08:17
	08:17 [MIN 38-34]	Barea Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)
	08:17 [MIN 39-34]	Barea Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)
Anderson 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Roberts (1 AST)	08:04 [NOH 37-39]
	07:48	Barea 3pt Shot: Missed
Harris Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	07:47
Roberts Floating Jump shot: Made (5 PTS)	07:39 [NOH 39-39]
	07:22	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Harris Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:21
Amundson Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Roberts (2 AST)	07:13 [NOH 41-39]
	06:57	Barea Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Roberts (1 ST)
Anderson Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Shved (1 ST)	06:51
Mason Jr. Foul: Personal (1 PF)	06:45
Amundson Substitution replaced by Davis	06:45
Harris Substitution replaced by Aminu	06:45
	06:45	Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Pekovic
Anderson Substitution replaced by Lopez	06:45
	06:39	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
Aminu Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	06:38
Roberts Jump Shot: Missed	06:30
	06:28	Pekovic Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)
	06:21	Shved Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Roberts (2 ST)
Aminu Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Mason Jr. (2 AST)	06:16 [NOH 43-39]
	06:14	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:52	Shved Running Jump Shot: Missed Block: Aminu (1 BLK)
Roberts Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:50
Mason Jr. Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Roberts (3 AST)	05:35 [NOH 45-39]
	05:25	Kirilenko Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)
	05:25	Shved Substitution replaced by Rubio
Davis Running Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Roberts (4 AST)	05:08 [NOH 47-39]
	04:55 [MIN 41-47]	Cunningham Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Rubio (2 AST)
Mason Jr. Jump Shot: Missed	04:31
	04:30	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:22	Pekovic Layup Shot: Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)	04:21
Team Timeout : Regular	04:19
Mason Jr. Substitution replaced by Vasquez	04:19
Roberts Substitution replaced by Gordon	04:19
Vasquez Running Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	04:06 [NOH 49-41]
Gordon Foul: Personal Block (3 PF)	03:51
Gordon Substitution replaced by Mason Jr.	03:51
	03:44 [MIN 43-49]	Rubio Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
	03:30	Pekovic Foul: Personal (2 PF)
	03:30	Kirilenko Substitution replaced by Williams
	03:30	Barea Substitution replaced by Ridnour
	03:30	Cunningham Substitution replaced by Gelabale
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed Block: Rubio (1 BLK)	03:16
Team Rebound	03:15
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	03:15
	03:01	Williams Foul: Offensive (1 PF)
	03:01	Williams Turnover : Foul (2 TO)
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed Block: Pekovic (1 BLK)	02:48
Vasquez Rebound (Off:2 Def:1)	02:47
	02:44	Pekovic Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Aminu Free Throw 1 of 2 (3 PTS)	02:44 [NOH 50-43]
	02:44	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Stiemsma
Aminu Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	02:44
	02:42	Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
Davis Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (3 FTA)	02:34
	02:34 [MIN 44-50]	Williams Free Throw 1 of 3 (9 PTS)
	02:34 [MIN 45-50]	Williams Free Throw 2 of 3 (10 PTS)
Davis Substitution replaced by Anderson	02:34
	02:34 [MIN 46-50]	Williams Free Throw 3 of 3 (11 PTS)
Lopez Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Williams (1 ST)	02:19
	02:09	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	02:08
Mason Jr. 3pt Shot: Missed	01:51
Anderson Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)	01:50
Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed	01:38
Aminu Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	01:36
Aminu Tip Shot: Made (5 PTS)	01:36 [NOH 52-46]
	01:11 [MIN 48-52]	Rubio Floating Jump shot: Made (9 PTS)
Aminu Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Rubio (2 ST)	00:55.9
Mason Jr. Foul: Personal Block (2 PF) (2 FTA)	00:41.1
	00:41.1 [MIN 49-52]	Stiemsma Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	00:41.1 [MIN 50-52]	Stiemsma Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	00:22.9
Vasquez Rebound (Off:3 Def:1)	00:21.9
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	00:20.9
Team Rebound	00:19.3
	00:09.1	Rubio Foul: Personal Take (1 PF)
Aminu Substitution replaced by Roberts	00:09.1
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	00:00.8
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 2nd Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (22-45)		Minnesota Timberwolves (23-41)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Lopez Dunk Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Davis (2 AST)	11:40 [NOH 54-50]
	11:23	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:22
Lopez Jump Shot: Missed	11:12
	11:11	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	11:02 [MIN 52-54]	Pekovic Slam Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Rubio (3 AST)
Vasquez Running Jump Shot: Missed	10:37
	10:36	Pekovic Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)
	10:24	Pekovic Jump Shot: Missed Block: Davis (1 BLK)
Vasquez Rebound (Off:3 Def:2)	10:22
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	10:16
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	10:13
	10:05	Rubio Foul: Personal Block (2 PF)
	10:02	Pekovic Foul: Personal (4 PF)
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Missed	09:55
Lopez Rebound (Off:5 Def:2)	09:54
Lopez Jump Hook Shot: Made (12 PTS)	09:51 [NOH 56-52]
	09:43	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Stiemsma
	09:32 [MIN 54-56]	Kirilenko Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rubio (4 AST)
	09:23	Stiemsma Violation:Defensive Goaltending
Gordon Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)	09:23 [NOH 58-54]
	09:08 [MIN 57-58]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (3 AST)
	08:47	Stiemsma Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (13 PTS)	08:47 [NOH 59-57]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (14 PTS)	08:47 [NOH 60-57]
	08:31	Williams Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (3 TO)
Lopez Jump Hook Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Gordon (2 AST)	08:15 [NOH 62-57]
	08:05	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Aminu Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	08:04
Davis Dunk Shot: Missed Block: Williams (1 BLK)	07:46
	07:43	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
	07:33	Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)
Vasquez Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (1 ST)	07:21
	07:14 [MIN 59-62]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (4 AST)
Vasquez Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Stiemsma (1 ST)	06:59
Vasquez Foul: Personal (1 PF)	06:58
	06:44 [MIN 61-62]	Ridnour Step Back Jump shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (1 AST)
Vasquez Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Ridnour (1 ST)	06:33
	06:30 [MIN 63-62]	Williams Driving Slam Dunk Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (5 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	06:28
Davis Jump Shot: Missed	06:16
	06:15	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
	05:59 [MIN 65-62]	Stiemsma Slam Dunk Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rubio (5 AST)
Vasquez Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)	05:59
	05:59 [MIN 66-62]	Stiemsma Free Throw 1 of 1 (5 PTS)
	05:46	Stiemsma Foul: Shooting Block (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Davis Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	05:46 [NOH 63-66]
Davis Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	05:46 [NOH 64-66]
	05:32	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Missed
Gordon Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	05:31
Aminu Foul: Offensive Charge (2 PF)	05:26
Aminu Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	05:26
	05:12	Kirilenko Turnover : Poss Lost Ball Turnover (3 TO) Steal:Davis (1 ST)
Davis Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (2 TO)	05:09
Lopez Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	04:58
	04:58	Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:58	Team Rebound
	04:58	Kirilenko Substitution replaced by Gelabale
Davis Substitution replaced by Anderson	04:58
	04:58 [MIN 67-64]	Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)
	04:42	Stiemsma Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (2 FTA)
Lopez Free Throw 1 of 2 (17 PTS)	04:42 [NOH 65-67]
Lopez Free Throw 2 of 2 (18 PTS)	04:42 [NOH 66-67]
	04:25 [MIN 69-66]	Rubio Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS)
Lopez Turnover : 3 Second Violation (4 TO)	04:06
	04:06	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:06	Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Johnson
	03:53	Williams 3pt Shot: Missed
	03:52	Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	03:51	Williams Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (4 TO)
Aminu Layup Shot: Missed Block: Johnson (1 BLK)	03:40
Lopez Rebound (Off:6 Def:2)	03:39
Lopez Layup Shot: Missed Block: Rubio (2 BLK)	03:38
Team Rebound	03:37
	03:37	Jump Ball Rubio vs Lopez (Vasquez gains possession)
Anderson Jump Shot: Missed	03:25
Lopez Rebound (Off:7 Def:2)	03:23
Lopez Layup Shot: Missed	03:22
Aminu Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	03:20
Aminu Tip Shot: Made (7 PTS)	03:20 [NOH 68-69]
	03:08	Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Anderson (1 ST)
Anderson 3pt Shot: Missed	02:58
	02:56	Team Rebound
Lopez Substitution replaced by Davis	02:56
	02:31	Williams Jump Bank Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	02:29
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	02:17
Davis Rebound (Off:2 Def:2)	02:16
Davis Tip Shot: Missed	02:16
Vasquez Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)	02:15
Vasquez Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)	02:13 [NOH 70-69]
	01:46 [MIN 72-70]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (6 AST)
Davis Running Hook Shot: Missed	01:23
	01:21	Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	01:15 [MIN 74-70]	Johnson Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rubio (6 AST)
Davis Dunk Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (4 AST)	00:59.2 [NOH 72-74]
	00:59.2	Johnson Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)
	00:59.2	Johnson Substitution replaced by Cunningham
Aminu Substitution replaced by Amundson	00:59.2
Vasquez Substitution replaced by Mason Jr.	00:59.2
Gordon Substitution replaced by Roberts	00:59.2
Davis Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)	00:59.2 [NOH 73-74]
	00:47.0 [MIN 76-73]	Ridnour Driving Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Roberts Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Cunningham (1 ST)	00:24.9
	00:01.9	Gelabale 3pt Shot: Missed
	00:01.0	Williams Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)
	00:00.1	Williams Layup Shot: Missed
	00:00.0	Team Rebound
End of 3rd Quarter
New Orleans Hornets (22-45)		Minnesota Timberwolves (23-41)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
	11:41 [MIN 78-73]	Williams Layup Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Shved (1 AST)
	11:22	Williams Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Anderson Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)	11:22 [NOH 74-78]
	11:22	Gelabale Substitution replaced by Kirilenko
Anderson Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	11:22
	11:22	Barea Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	11:04	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:03
Vasquez Running Bank shot: Missed	10:51
	10:49	Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	10:41	Williams 3pt Shot: Missed
Amundson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	10:40
Davis Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Vasquez (5 AST)	10:23 [NOH 76-78]
	09:58	Shved Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Davis (2 ST)
Amundson Dunk Shot: Missed Block: Cunningham (1 BLK)	09:52
Mason Jr. Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)	09:50
Mason Jr. Jump Shot: Missed	09:28
	09:26	Shved Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	09:20 [MIN 80-76]	Barea Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Shved (2 AST)
Vasquez Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)	08:51 [NOH 78-80]
	08:32	Barea Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Vasquez Rebound (Off:4 Def:3)	08:31
Davis Slam Dunk Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Anderson (1 AST)	08:12 [NOH 80-80]
	07:50 [MIN 82-80]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Shved (3 AST)
Davis Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (1 FTA)	07:50
	07:50
	07:50	Williams Substitution replaced by Pekovic
	07:50 [MIN 83-80]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 1 (7 PTS)
Vasquez Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (16 PTS)	07:26 [NOH 82-83]
Amundson Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	07:02
	07:02	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	07:02	Team Rebound
Amundson Substitution replaced by Lopez	07:02
Mason Jr. Substitution replaced by Gordon	07:02
	07:02	Barea Substitution replaced by Rubio
	07:02	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:2 Def:3)	07:02
Vasquez Jump Shot: Missed	06:50
Team Rebound	06:50
Anderson Jump Shot: Missed Block: Pekovic (2 BLK)	06:40
Davis Rebound (Off:3 Def:3)	06:39
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	06:38
	06:23	Kirilenko Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)	06:21
Anderson 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Gordon (3 AST)	06:06 [NOH 85-83]
	05:48 [MIN 85-85]	Rubio Jump Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Vasquez Foul: Offensive (3 PF)	05:44
Vasquez Turnover : Foul (5 TO)	05:44
	05:44	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:44	Shved Substitution replaced by Ridnour
	05:44	Kirilenko Substitution replaced by Williams
	05:30	Rubio Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	05:29
	05:20	Ridnour Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Missed	05:07
Team Rebound	05:04
Vasquez Turnover : Backcourt Turnover (6 TO)	05:03
Vasquez Foul: Personal (4 PF)	05:00
Anderson Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	04:54
	04:54	Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	04:54	Team Rebound
Anderson Substitution replaced by Aminu	04:54
	04:54 [MIN 86-85]	Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 (23 PTS)
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Made (19 PTS) Assist: Lopez (1 AST)	04:36 [NOH 88-86]
	04:12 [MIN 88-88]	Williams Running Jump Shot: Made (25 PTS)
	03:59	Williams Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Davis Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Missed Block: Cunningham (2 BLK)	03:52
	03:50	Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	03:39	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed Block: Lopez (1 BLK)
Team Rebound	03:37
Vasquez 3pt Shot: Made (22 PTS)	03:24 [NOH 91-88]
	02:53 [MIN 90-91]	Williams Fadeaway Jump Shot: Made (27 PTS)
Lopez Layup Shot: Missed	02:30
Lopez Rebound (Off:8 Def:2)	02:29
Lopez Tip Shot: Made (20 PTS)	02:29 [NOH 93-90]
Lopez Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	02:06
Team Timeout : Regular	02:06
Davis Substitution replaced by Anderson	02:06
	02:06 [MIN 91-93]	Williams Free Throw 1 of 2 (28 PTS)
	02:06	Williams Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Lopez Rebound (Off:8 Def:3)	02:06
Anderson Jump Shot: Missed	01:48
	01:47	Williams Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	01:28	Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Aminu (2 ST)
	01:25	Rubio Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)
Aminu Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	01:25
Team Rebound	01:25
Anderson Substitution replaced by Davis	01:25
Aminu Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	01:25
	01:25	Williams Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)
	01:25	Team Timeout : Regular
	01:12	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Davis (3 ST)
	01:00	Rubio Foul: Personal (4 PF) (2 FTA)
Vasquez Free Throw 1 of 2 (23 PTS)	01:00 [NOH 94-91]
Vasquez Free Throw 2 of 2 (24 PTS)	01:00 [NOH 95-91]
	01:00	Team Timeout : Short
	00:48.7 [MIN 93-95]	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Lopez Foul: Shooting (4 PF) (1 FTA)	00:48.7
	00:48.7 [MIN 94-95]	Rubio Free Throw 1 of 1 (16 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	00:48.7
Aminu Substitution replaced by Mason Jr.	00:48.7
Davis Substitution replaced by Anderson	00:48.7
Gordon Step Back Jump shot: Missed	00:28.9
	00:27.9	Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	00:18.5	Williams Layup Shot: Missed
	00:17.5	Pekovic Rebound (Off:4 Def:2)
Anderson Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	00:14.5
	00:14.5 [MIN 95-95]	Pekovic Free Throw 1 of 2 (12 PTS)
Mason Jr. Substitution replaced by Aminu	00:14.5
Anderson Substitution replaced by Davis	00:14.5
	00:14.5 [MIN 96-95]	Pekovic Free Throw 2 of 2 (13 PTS)
Team Timeout : Short	00:14.5
Aminu Substitution replaced by Mason Jr.	00:14.5
Lopez Substitution replaced by Anderson	00:14.5
	00:14.5	Pekovic Substitution replaced by Kirilenko
Gordon Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Kirilenko (1 BLK)	00:06.9
	00:06.0	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
Mason Jr. Foul: Personal (3 PF) (2 FTA)	00:05.0
	00:05.0 [MIN 97-95]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 (8 PTS)
Mason Jr. Substitution replaced by Aminu	00:05.0
	00:05.0	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Davis Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	00:05.0
Team Timeout : Short	00:04.6
Aminu Substitution replaced by Mason Jr.	00:04.6
Mason Jr. 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Kirilenko (2 BLK)	00:00.5
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 4th Quarter