Suns-Timberwolves Preview

By ALAN FERGUSON
Posted Apr 13 2013 2:15AM

The Minnesota Timberwolves would appear to have little left to play for, but they still have a chance to accomplish one feat.

By winning their final two home games, the Timberwolves would finish above .500 at the Target Center for the first since 2005-06 and will try to take the first step toward that goal Saturday night against the Phoenix Suns.

Minnesota (29-50) is set to miss the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season but has a shot at a small consolation prize, a winning record at home. The Timberwolves are 19-20 there this season and will face Phoenix (24-55) and Utah in their final homestand.

They were competitive against the Jazz on Friday but finished 0-3 on their road trip with a 107-100 loss. J.J. Barea's season-high 23 points paced six players in double figures in that defeat, its third game in four nights.

"And (Saturday) will be our fourth game in (five) nights and the team we play (Phoenix) is there waiting for us," coach Rick Adelman said. "It makes no sense to me. You can see it's going to happen once in a while, but for us it's happening all the time.

"It's the second time in four, five nights in the last 2 1/2 weeks of the season. But it's what it is. You've got to go out and play. You can't worry about it."

The Timberwolves haven't recorded 20 home wins since 2006-07 and haven't had a winning record there since going 24-17 the previous season. A matchup with Phoenix might help them accomplish the first of those goals and move a step closer to the second.

The Suns have dropped 16 of 19 but snapped a 10-game losing streak in their most recent game Wednesday with a 102-91 win in Dallas. Goran Dragic led the way with 21 points and 13 assists, and P.J. Tucker provided two key baskets to help Phoenix also end a seven-game road skid.

"I think it was important for our guys to feel good. And we played a really good game (against Houston on Tuesday), (but) unfortunately we couldn't win it," coach Lindsey Hunter said. "I think the guys responded really well."

Phoenix had won six straight in Minnesota until a 111-107 defeat Dec. 29. Nikola Pekovic had a team-best 28 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves in that game but missed Friday's loss because of a bruised left calf.

Minnesota is hoping he can return for this game as he's averaging 18.4 points on 62.3 percent shooting in his last five matchups with Phoenix.

Minnesota has won two of three in the season series, including a 117-86 rout in Phoenix on March 22. The Timberwolves' lone loss was in overtime Feb. 26.

They're seeking to win the season series for the first time since a four-game sweep in 2003-04.

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

Rubio leads Timberwolves over Suns, 105-93

By JON KRAWCZYNSKI
Posted Apr 13 2013 11:18PM

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) Ricky Rubio has made his mark in the NBA with his behind-the-back passes and quick hands on defense.

The Phoenix Suns saw both of those traits on Saturday night, to no one's surprise. What they didn't expect was for Rubio to become Minnesota's primary scoring threat.

Rubio had a career-high 24 points to go with 10 assists and five steals, and J.J. Barea scored 16 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 105-93 victory over the Phoenix Suns.

After going through a horrible 6-for-41 stretch over four games recently, Rubio was undaunted. With leading scorers Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Love out with injuries, Rubio attempted a career-high 18 field goals. He hit six of his first nine shots and finished 8 for 18.

"It's a lot," Rubio said. "Without Pek, without Kevin, there are shots to take and I'm going to take them."

Derrick Williams added 15 points and six boards for the Wolves, who gave coach Rick Adelman victory No. 1,001. It's also the first time the Wolves (30-50) have won at least 30 games in a season without Kevin Garnett on the roster.

"Yeah but we lost 50, too," Rubio said. "That's a lot. Fifty in one season. It's not that exciting. It's more than I thought. Of course we're happy because we're improving, but it's not enough."

Markieff Morris had 20 points and nine rebounds and Jared Dudley scored 16 for the Suns, who turned the ball over 28 times. The Suns have lost 15 of their last 17 and already are assured of having their worst record since their inaugural season in 1968-69.

"We turned the ball over entirely too much," Suns coach Lindsey Hunter said. "It wasn't complicated turnovers, it was simple passes that we tried to be too fancy or tried to thread the needle too thin. You can't beat anybody turning the ball over 28 times."

Andrei Kirilenko had 14 points and Dante Cunningham had 13 points and eight rebounds in place of Pekovic, who missed his second straight game with a bruised left calf.

Wes Johnson scored 15 points and Luis Scola added 14 points and nine rebounds for Phoenix. But Scola committed a career-high eight turnovers, and the Wolves scored 33 points off Phoenix mistakes to pull away.

Johnson was supposed to be a building block in Minnesota, the fourth overall draft pick out of Syracuse in 2010. The Wolves envisioned him as the kind of versatile, athletic swingman who could play shooting guard and small forward and bring some much-needed offense to a team that struggled to make even wide-open jumpers.

But he struggled mightily on defense and never could carve a set role for himself in Minnesota, struggling to shoot consistently from the outside. The Wolves were so down on him that they essentially gave him away during the summer to create room for Andrei Kirilenko and Brandon Roy.

On Saturday, Johnson gave the Wolves a glimpse of what they thought they were drafting. He hit five of his first six shots and scored 11 points in the first quarter, prompting one fan to holler "where was that when you were here?!?"

"Especially when I was warming up before the game, I was seeing all the familiar faces," Johnson said. "It felt like coming back home, basically. But when they tipped it off, I didn't know anybody."

His sharp shooting helped the Suns lead by 10 points early, but he managed just four points the rest of the way and the Suns' turnovers spoiled 50.7 percent shooting.

The Timberwolves honored Adelman with a pregame ceremony to commemorate his 1,000th victory, which came a week ago against Detroit. Pat Riley, Shane Battier and Kevin Martin were among those who participated in a short video extolling Adelman's accomplishments, and Wolves owner Glen Taylor presented Adelman with a framed net from the night of his victory.

As he has been his whole career, Adelman was reluctant in the spotlight. He waved sheepishly and returned to the huddle, looking to get back to business as quickly as possible.

"It was nice," Adelman said. "I didn't really expect that. They said something was going on, but I didn't expect that. It was really nice. A lot of good people up there had something to say. I'm glad we got the win."

NOTES: Minnesota's 17 steals tied a franchise record. ... Former Timberwolves F Michael Beasley was not with the Suns after the birth of a baby girl. ... Suns C Jermaine O'Neal did not play because of a bruised shin. ... Morris drew a technical foul in the second quarter after a brief tussle with Wolves C Greg Stiemsma. Morris took exception to a rough foul from Stiemsma on Suns PG Goran Dragic, who had 14 assists.

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: Timberwolves 105, Suns 93

Jim Beilby, for NBA.com
Posted Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:37 PM - Updated Sat Apr 13, 2013 11:37 PM

THE FACTS: In a game between two teams whose playoff ambitions ended shortly after the Christmas present were opened, the Minnesota Timberwolves took a nice step toward closing out a frustrating season in a positive manner, defeating the Phoenix Suns 105-93. Minnesota did not shoot as well as Phoenix and, with their starting center, Nikola Pekovic out with a calf contusion, they were outrebounded by Phoenix. But they took care of the ball and forced Phoenix into turnover after turnover. The Suns opened an early lead with an 11-0 first quarter run, but their inability to hold on to the ball allow Minnesota to whittle that lead down. Ricky Rubio led the way for Minnesota, filling up the stat sheet, as he has done of late. He finished with 24 points, 10 assists, five rebounds, and five steals. J.J. Barea came off the bench for Minnesota and scored his points in bunches at key times in the game. Markieff Morris had 20 points on 8-for-11 shooting (3-for-4 from beyond the arc) to go with nine rebounds. But he and his front court partner, Luis Scola together accounted for 12 of Phoenix's turnovers.

QUOTABLE: "We had a pretty good handle on the game until we started to turn the ball over. When you give the other team easy baskets, it gives them confidence and that's what happened. ... I think it's a combination of trying to be too fancy and trying to make passes that are too high risk. You have to make the simple play. If you make the right play every time, the spectacular tends to happen. If you try to make the spectacular play, you turn the ball over."

-- Phoenix coach Lindsey Hunter.

THE STAT: Turnovers by Phoenix and steals by Minnesota. Minnesota's 17 steals is a season high and ties a franchise high for them. Phoenix turned the ball over 28 times, tying the most for a Minnesota opponent this season. Ironically, Phoenix season low for turnovers came at Target Center as well, when they only gave up the ball five times on December 29. Minnesota has had fewer turnovers than their opponent in 22 of their last 28 games. And they have only had more turnovers in three of those 28 games.

TURNING POINT: After trailing for most of the game, Minnesota built their first lead with an 11-2 run in the closing minutes of the third quarter. And then when the Suns cut that lead to six with 4:26 to play, Rick Adelman called a timeout, gave his team a good talking to and settled them down. Minnesota responded with a baskets on four straight offensive possessions and steals or forced turnovers on three straight defensive sets. The result was a 13 point lead with less than two minutes to play and a comfortable victory for Minnesota.

QUOTABLE II: "We shot the ball well; made some big plays. We got banged up due to our [lack of] size a little bit but for the most part we were able to score and keep the lead."
-- Minnesota coach Rick Adelman.

GOOD MOVE: With Pekovic out with a left calf contusion, Adelman didn't have many options, so he decided to start a small lineup. "We almost have to [go small]," said Adelman. "We don't have any bigs except for Greg (Stiemsma) and they come in with (Jermaine) O'Neal ... and Greg is the one guy that can guard him." The decision worked. While the Suns built a rebounding advantage in the first half, Minnesota whittled that down a good bit in the second. And the quickness of Minnesota's small lineup was too much for Phoenix for much of the night.

BAD MOVE: Derrick Williams was the recipient of a beautiful first quarter pass from Rubio, was wide open in the lane, and elevated for a powerful one-handed dunk. But he fumbled it the in the air in mid-dunk and ended up throwing it off the back rim right and triggering a Suns fast break that ended with a 19' jumpshot by P. J. Tucker, capping an 11-0 run and giving Phoenix an early eight point lead.

QUOTABLE III: "We had so many high hopes for this season. But more than anything it's about getting everybody healthy, myself included. This summer is a big summer for us, big summer for myself included. Hopefully in a month I will have a clean bill of health and I'll be ready to go. I'm definitely looking forward to that. I know that this team is hungry, and I'm hungry myself."

-- Minnesota forward Kevin Love.

NOTABLE: Prior to the game, Minnesota owner Glen Taylor presented coach Adelman with the basketball net from his 1,000th victory, which occurred on April 6 in the Wolves 107-101 win over Detroit .. With a record of 24-56, Phoenix will finish with their worst record since the team's inaugural season in 1968-69 when the team went 16-66.

UP NEXT: For the Wolves, Monday vs. Utah, Wednesday @ San Antonio. For the Suns, Monday vs. Houston, Wednesday @ Denver.

• Suns: Frye, Garrett, Gortat
• Timberwolves: Lee, Roy

• Suns: Morris
• Timberwolves: --

• Lead Changes: 4
• Times Tied: 5

• Arena: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Officials: #49 Tom Washington, #56 Mark Ayotte, #52 Scott Twardoski
• Attendance: 16701
• Duration: 2:02

Phoenix Suns (24-56)		Minnesota Timberwolves (30-50)
Start of 1st Quarter
(12:00) Jump Ball Williams vs Morris (Tucker gains possession)
Scola Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Williams (1 ST)	11:40
	11:34 [MIN 2-0]	Williams Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rubio (1 AST)
Johnson Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Dragic (1 AST)	11:15 [PHX 2-2]
	10:57	Williams Jump Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:56
Morris 3pt Shot: Missed	10:44
	10:43	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:30	Kirilenko Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Dragic (1 ST)
Scola Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Rubio (1 ST)	10:17
	10:17	Jump Ball Rubio vs Scola (Ridnour gains possession)
	10:04 [MIN 4-2]	Kirilenko Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
Johnson Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (1 FTA)	10:04
	10:04 [MIN 5-2]	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 1 (3 PTS)
Johnson Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS)	09:50 [PHX 4-5]
	09:34	Williams Turnover : Lost Ball (1 TO) Steal:Morris (1 ST)
Morris Foul: Offensive (1 PF)	09:26
Morris Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	09:26
	09:12	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:11
	09:06	Rubio Foul: Personal (1 PF)
Scola Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:58 [PHX 6-5]
	08:38	Cunningham Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Morris (2 ST)
Johnson 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Tucker (1 AST)	08:27 [PHX 9-5]
	08:06	Cunningham Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Scola (1 ST)
	08:06	Jump Ball Cunningham vs Scola (Dragic gains possession)
Dragic Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)	08:01 [PHX 11-5]
	07:39	Williams Slam Dunk Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:38
Tucker Pullup Jump shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Morris (1 AST)	07:34 [PHX 13-5]
	07:22 [MIN 7-13]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Rubio (2 AST)
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	07:03
	07:02	Cunningham Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	06:51 [MIN 9-13]	Williams Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Rubio (3 AST)
Dragic 3pt Shot: Missed	06:40
	06:39	Cunningham Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	06:27	Rubio Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	06:25
Morris Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Scola (1 AST)	06:11 [PHX 15-9]
Scola Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	05:53
	05:53	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:53 [MIN 10-15]	Cunningham Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	05:53	Cunningham Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed
Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	05:53
Morris Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Tucker (2 AST)	05:31 [PHX 17-10]
	05:03 [MIN 12-17]	Rubio Running Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Cunningham (1 AST)
Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed	04:46
Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	04:45
Scola Running Tip Shot: Made (4 PTS)	04:45 [PHX 19-12]
	04:27	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)	04:25
Dragic 3pt Shot: Missed	04:17
	04:16	Rubio Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	04:10 [MIN 14-19]	Cunningham Layup Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Rubio (4 AST)
Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)	03:51
	03:39	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)	03:38
	03:34	Ridnour Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Dragic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	03:34
Team Rebound	03:34
Dragic Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)	03:34 [PHX 20-14]
	03:16	Williams Layup Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	03:15
Johnson Jump Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Dragic (2 AST)	02:53 [PHX 22-14]
	02:33	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed
	02:32	Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	02:30	Cunningham Layup Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)	02:29
Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Rubio (2 ST)	02:25
	02:24	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	02:22
Morris Alley Oop Dunk Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Dragic (3 AST)	02:18 [PHX 24-14]
Johnson Violation:Kicked Ball	02:04
	02:04	Williams Substitution replaced by Budinger
	01:56 [MIN 16-24]	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Made (4 PTS)
Morris Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Rubio (3 ST)	01:42
	01:38	Ridnour Layup Shot: Missed
	01:36	Rubio Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	01:36 [MIN 18-24]	Rubio Running Tip Shot: Made (6 PTS)
Tucker Layup Shot: Missed	01:22
	01:21	Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
Tucker Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	01:12
	01:12 [MIN 19-24]	Budinger Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)
	01:12	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Shved
Morris Substitution replaced by Dudley	01:12
	01:12 [MIN 20-24]	Budinger Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)
Dragic Jump Shot: Missed	00:48.9
Scola Rebound (Off:2 Def:5)	00:47.5
	00:41.8	Cunningham Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Dudley Free Throw 1 of 2 (1 PTS)	00:41.8 [PHX 25-20]
Dudley Free Throw 2 of 2 (2 PTS)	00:41.8 [PHX 26-20]
	00:35.3 [MIN 22-26]	Rubio Jump Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Johnson Jump Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Dragic (4 AST)	00:16.6 [PHX 28-22]
	00:01.9	Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Scola (2 ST)
Scola 3pt Shot: Missed	00:00.7
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 1st Quarter
Phoenix Suns (24-56)		Minnesota Timberwolves (30-50)
Start of 2nd QuarterBack to Top
	11:41	Barea Running Jump Shot: Missed
	11:40	Barea Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
Dragic Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)	11:39
	11:39	Kirilenko Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed
	11:39	Team Rebound
	11:39	Cunningham Substitution replaced by Stiemsma
	11:39 [MIN 23-28]	Kirilenko Free Throw 2 of 2 (6 PTS)
	11:28	Budinger Violation:Defensive Goaltending
Scola Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Dragic (5 AST)	11:28 [PHX 30-23]
Scola Substitution replaced by Haddadi	11:17
Tucker Substitution replaced by Morris	11:17
	11:17	Kirilenko Substitution replaced by Williams
	11:13	Stiemsma Alley Oop Layup shot: Missed
Haddadi Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	11:11
	10:58	Williams Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Dudley Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	10:58
Team Rebound	10:58
Dudley Free Throw 2 of 2 (3 PTS)	10:58 [PHX 31-23]
	10:50	Barea 3pt Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:49
Haddadi Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO)	10:34
	10:16	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed
Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	10:14
Haddadi Foul: Offensive Charge (1 PF)	10:09
Haddadi Turnover : Foul (2 TO)	10:09
	09:58	Budinger Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	09:57
Johnson Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Williams (2 ST)	09:46
Dragic Foul: Personal (2 PF)	09:40
Dragic Substitution replaced by Marshall	09:40
	09:35 [MIN 26-31]	Shved 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Marshall 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Johnson (1 AST)	09:20 [PHX 34-26]
	09:08 [MIN 29-34]	Williams 3pt Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Barea (1 AST)
	08:48	Budinger Foul: Personal (1 PF)
	08:48
Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed	08:40
	08:40	Team Rebound
Johnson Foul: Personal (2 PF)	08:28
Haddadi Foul: Personal (2 PF)	08:23
Johnson Substitution replaced by Morris	08:23
	08:17 [MIN 31-34]	Barea Driving Layup Shot: Made (2 PTS)
	07:58	Stiemsma Foul: Shooting (1 PF) (2 FTA)
Morris Free Throw 1 of 2 (7 PTS)	07:58 [PHX 35-31]
	07:58	Williams Substitution replaced by Cunningham
Morris Free Throw 2 of 2 Missed	07:58
	07:58	Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	07:46	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Haddadi Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	07:45
Morris Foul: Offensive Charge (1 PF)	07:30
Morris Turnover : Foul (1 TO)	07:30
	07:17	Shved Jump Shot: Missed
	07:16	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	07:16	Stiemsma Layup Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	07:15
Marshall Turnover : Bad Pass (1 TO) Steal:Cunningham (1 ST)	07:07
	06:58	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed
	06:55	Shved Rebound (Off:1 Def:0)
	06:55	Shved Tip Shot: Missed
Haddadi Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	06:51
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (3 PTS) Assist: Marshall (1 AST)	06:47 [PHX 38-31]
	06:25	Shved 3pt Shot: Missed
Haddadi Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	06:24
Dudley Layup Shot: Missed	06:07
	06:05	Cunningham Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	05:59 [MIN 34-38]	Barea 3pt Shot: Made (5 PTS)
Marshall Running Finger Roll Layup Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (1 BLK)	05:38
Team Rebound	05:37
	05:37	Team Timeout : Regular
	05:37	Shved Substitution replaced by Rubio
Morris Jump Shot: Missed	05:30
	05:29	Rubio Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	05:24 [MIN 36-38]	Cunningham Alley Oop Layup shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Rubio (5 AST)
Marshall Turnover : Traveling (2 TO)	05:10
Haddadi Substitution replaced by Scola	05:10
Marshall Substitution replaced by Dragic	05:10
	04:50	Budinger 3pt Shot: Missed
Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	04:48
Scola Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Dudley (1 AST)	04:43 [PHX 40-36]
	04:19	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	04:18
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	04:09
	04:08	Rubio Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	04:00 [MIN 38-40]	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Made (2 PTS) Assist: Rubio (6 AST)
Dudley Pullup Jump shot: Made (5 PTS) Assist: Dragic (6 AST)	03:46 [PHX 42-38]
	03:24 [MIN 40-42]	Barea Driving Finger Roll Layup Shot: Made (7 PTS)
	03:13	Cunningham Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Scola Free Throw 1 of 2 (9 PTS)	03:13 [PHX 43-40]
Morris Substitution replaced by Tucker	03:13
	03:13	Budinger Substitution replaced by Kirilenko
	03:13	Barea Substitution replaced by Ridnour
Scola Free Throw 2 of 2 (10 PTS)	03:13 [PHX 44-40]
	03:04	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Missed Block: Scola (1 BLK)
Dudley Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)	03:03
	02:54	Stiemsma Foul: Personal (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:54
Morris Technical	02:54
	02:54 [MIN 41-44]	Ridnour Free Throw Technical (1 PTS)
Dragic Free Throw 1 of 2 Missed	02:54
Team Rebound	02:54
Dragic Free Throw 2 of 2 (4 PTS)	02:54 [PHX 45-41]
	02:38 [MIN 43-45]	Rubio Pullup Jump shot: Made (10 PTS)
Scola Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Dragic (7 AST)	02:19 [PHX 47-43]
	02:02 [MIN 45-47]	Rubio Running Bank shot: Made (12 PTS)
Tucker Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (1 FTA)	02:02
	02:02 [MIN 46-47]	Rubio Free Throw 1 of 1 (13 PTS)
Dragic Fadeaway Jump Shot: Missed	01:47
Scola Rebound (Off:3 Def:5)	01:46
Dudley 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Dragic (8 AST)	01:39 [PHX 50-46]
	01:20	Rubio Driving Layup Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)	01:19
Scola Layup Shot: Missed Block: Cunningham (1 BLK)	01:13
	01:12	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)
	01:08	Rubio Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Dragic (2 ST)
Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Stiemsma (1 ST)	01:04
	00:58.2 [MIN 48-50]	Ridnour Jump Bank Shot: Made (3 PTS)
Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (6 TO) Steal:Ridnour (1 ST)	00:43.8
	00:40.1 [MIN 50-50]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (1 AST)
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Dragic (9 AST)	00:29.1 [PHX 53-50]
	00:09.9	Rubio 3pt Shot: Missed
Dragic Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:08.9
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	00:01.0
Team Rebound	00:00.0
End of 2nd Quarter
Phoenix Suns (24-56)		Minnesota Timberwolves (30-50)
Start of 3rd QuarterBack to Top
Johnson Foul: Personal (3 PF)	11:50
	11:36	Williams 3pt Shot: Missed
Johnson Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)	11:35
Morris Jump Shot: Made (12 PTS)	11:16 [PHX 55-50]
	10:58	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)	10:57
Johnson Jump Shot: Missed	10:38
	10:37	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)
	10:22 [MIN 52-55]	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (2 AST)
Morris Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Rubio (4 ST)	10:04
	09:59	Rubio Running Jump Shot: Missed Block: Morris (1 BLK)
Tucker Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	09:58
Johnson Slam Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Dragic (10 AST)	09:53 [PHX 57-52]
	09:23 [MIN 54-57]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (10 PTS)
Tucker Jump Shot: Made (4 PTS) Assist: Morris (2 AST)	08:59 [PHX 59-54]
Dragic Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	08:47
	08:47 [MIN 55-59]	Rubio Free Throw 1 of 2 (14 PTS)
	08:47 [MIN 56-59]	Rubio Free Throw 2 of 2 (15 PTS)
Dragic Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)	08:34
	08:22	Kirilenko 3pt Shot: Missed
Scola Rebound (Off:3 Def:6)	08:21
Dragic Pullup Jump shot: Missed	08:12
Team Rebound	08:11
Morris Layup Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (2 BLK)	08:04
	08:02	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	07:54 [MIN 58-59]	Kirilenko Layup Shot: Made (12 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (3 AST)
Scola Turnover : Bad Pass (7 TO) Steal:Rubio (5 ST)	07:37
Morris Foul: Loose Ball (2 PF)	07:37
	07:27 [MIN 60-59]	Williams Layup Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Rubio (7 AST)
Team Timeout : Regular	07:19
Dragic Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Stiemsma (2 ST)	07:11
	07:08	Kirilenko Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Dragic (3 ST)
Dragic Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Williams (3 ST)	07:06
	07:02	Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO)
Scola Jump Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (3 BLK)	06:42
Morris Rebound (Off:1 Def:5)	06:41
Morris Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)	06:38 [PHX 61-60]
	06:15	Rubio 3pt Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:1 Def:6)	06:14
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (17 PTS) Assist: Dragic (11 AST)	06:03 [PHX 64-60]
Tucker Foul: Shooting (3 PF) (2 FTA)	05:34
	05:34 [MIN 61-64]	Ridnour Free Throw 1 of 2 (4 PTS)
Dragic Substitution replaced by Marshall	05:34
	05:34 [MIN 62-64]	Ridnour Free Throw 2 of 2 (5 PTS)
Johnson Jump Shot: Missed	05:21
	05:20	Williams Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:11	Rubio Layup Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:1 Def:7)	05:10
Morris Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Williams (4 ST)	05:08
	05:05 [MIN 64-64]	Williams Slam Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Rubio (8 AST)
	04:46	Ridnour Foul: Personal (2 PF)
Johnson Jump Shot: Made (15 PTS) Assist: Marshall (2 AST)	04:38 [PHX 66-64]
	04:20	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Missed
	04:19	Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
	04:18 [MIN 66-66]	Williams Layup Shot: Made (13 PTS)
Scola Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Tucker (3 AST)	04:04 [PHX 68-66]
	03:44 [MIN 68-68]	Stiemsma Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Rubio (9 AST)
Johnson Pullup Jump shot: Missed	03:17
	03:16	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:3)
Morris Substitution replaced by Dudley	03:09
	03:05 [MIN 70-68]	Williams Dunk Shot: Made (15 PTS)
Marshall Jump Shot: Missed	02:51
	02:50	Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	02:37	Kirilenko Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (3 TO)
	02:37	Team Timeout : Regular
Marshall Driving Layup Shot: Missed Block: Stiemsma (4 BLK)	02:26
	02:24	Williams Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	02:20	Williams Turnover : Bad Pass (2 TO) Steal:Dudley (1 ST)
Dudley Pullup Jump shot: Missed	02:17
	02:15	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:2)
Scola Substitution replaced by Haddadi	02:06
	02:05	Williams Jump Shot: Missed Block: Haddadi (1 BLK)
	02:04	Williams Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	02:03	Williams Turnover : Traveling (3 TO)
Haddadi Foul: Offensive (3 PF)	01:52
Haddadi Turnover : Foul (3 TO)	01:52
	01:52	Williams Substitution replaced by Cunningham
	01:52	Rubio Substitution replaced by Barea
	01:33 [MIN 72-68]	Cunningham Running Jump Shot: Made (7 PTS) Assist: Ridnour (4 AST)
Tucker Jump Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Marshall (3 AST)	01:12 [PHX 70-72]
	01:04 [MIN 75-70]	Ridnour 3pt Shot: Made (8 PTS)
Haddadi Turnover : Lost Ball (4 TO) Steal:Cunningham (2 ST)	00:51.9
	00:41.7 [MIN 77-70]	Ridnour Floating Jump shot: Made (10 PTS)
Tucker 3pt Shot: Made (9 PTS) Assist: Marshall (4 AST)	00:30.5 [PHX 73-77]
	00:11.9	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
Marshall Rebound (Off:0 Def:1)	00:09.9
	00:03.7	Stiemsma Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Johnson 3pt Shot: Missed Block: Kirilenko (1 BLK)	00:03.0
	00:02.0	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:4)
End of 3rd Quarter
Phoenix Suns (24-56)		Minnesota Timberwolves (30-50)
Start of 4th QuarterBack to Top
Marshall Turnover : Bad Pass (3 TO) Steal:Ridnour (2 ST)	11:49
Dragic Foul: Personal (4 PF) (2 FTA)	11:47
	11:47 [MIN 78-73]	Ridnour Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)
	11:47 [MIN 79-73]	Ridnour Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)
Marshall 3pt Shot: Made (6 PTS) Assist: Dragic (12 AST)	11:33 [PHX 76-79]
Marshall Foul: Personal (1 PF)	11:20
	11:12	Budinger Jump Shot: Missed
	11:11	Cunningham Rebound (Off:2 Def:4)
	11:10	Budinger Turnover : Step Out of Bounds Turnover (1 TO)
Haddadi Jump Shot: Missed	10:47
	10:47	Team Rebound
Morris Foul: Loose Ball (2 PF)	10:47
	10:36	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
	10:35	Barea Rebound (Off:2 Def:0)
	10:25 [MIN 81-76]	Barea Step Back Jump shot: Made (9 PTS)
Morris 3pt Shot: Missed	10:16
	10:15	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:3)
	10:09 [MIN 84-76]	Barea 3pt Shot: Made (12 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	10:02
Marshall Substitution replaced by Tucker	10:02
Haddadi Substitution replaced by Morris	10:02
Dudley 3pt Shot: Missed	09:50
	09:49	Stiemsma Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
	09:36	Stiemsma Foul: Offensive (4 PF)
	09:36	Stiemsma Turnover : Foul (1 TO)
	09:36	Stiemsma Substitution replaced by Kirilenko
Dudley Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS) Assist: Morris (1 AST)	09:19 [PHX 78-84]
	09:10 [MIN 86-78]	Barea Driving Reverse Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS)
Dragic Running Layup Shot: Made (6 PTS)	08:56 [PHX 80-86]
	08:33	Ridnour Jump Shot: Missed
	08:31	Cunningham Rebound (Off:3 Def:4)
	08:31 [MIN 88-80]	Cunningham Tip Shot: Made (9 PTS)
Dragic Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (1 ST)	08:16
	08:12	Ridnour Substitution replaced by Rubio
	08:04 [MIN 90-80]	Barea Pullup Jump shot: Made (16 PTS)
Morris 3pt Shot: Missed	07:36
Dragic Rebound (Off:1 Def:1)	07:34
	07:33	Rubio Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)
Dudley Free Throw 1 of 2 (11 PTS)	07:33 [PHX 81-90]
Morris Substitution replaced by Scola	07:33
Dudley Free Throw 2 of 2 (12 PTS)	07:33 [PHX 82-90]
	07:20 [MIN 92-82]	Cunningham Slam Dunk Shot: Made (11 PTS) Assist: Kirilenko (1 AST)
Dudley Layup Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Morris (3 AST)	07:01 [PHX 84-92]
	06:35 [MIN 94-84]	Kirilenko Jump Shot: Made (14 PTS) Assist: Budinger (1 AST)
Dudley Driving Layup Shot: Made (16 PTS) Assist: Dragic (13 AST)	06:17 [PHX 86-94]
	05:58	Rubio Jump Shot: Missed
Morris Rebound (Off:1 Def:8)	05:56
Scola Jump Shot: Missed	05:44
	05:42	Budinger Rebound (Off:0 Def:2)
	05:39	Barea Turnover : Out of Bounds Lost Ball Turnover (1 TO)
	05:39
Dudley Jump Shot: Missed	05:16
Team Rebound	05:15
Team Turnover : Shot Clock Turnover	05:15
	05:15	Budinger Substitution replaced by Stiemsma
Dragic Foul: Personal (5 PF)	05:01
	04:54	Rubio Turnover : Bad Pass (4 TO) Steal:Dudley (2 ST)
	04:44	Cunningham Foul: Personal (3 PF)
Dragic Jump Shot: Missed	04:34
	04:32	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:5)
	04:26	Barea Turnover : Lost Ball (2 TO) Steal:Dragic (4 ST)
Dragic Driving Layup Shot: Made (8 PTS)	04:22 [PHX 88-94]
	04:21	Team Timeout : Regular
	04:15	Kirilenko Turnover : Traveling (4 TO)
Scola Turnover : Traveling (8 TO)	04:05
Scola Foul: Shooting (2 PF) (2 FTA)	03:51
	03:51 [MIN 95-88]	Rubio Free Throw 1 of 2 (16 PTS)
	03:51 [MIN 96-88]	Rubio Free Throw 2 of 2 (17 PTS)
Dudley Jump Shot: Missed	03:36
	03:35	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:6)
	03:21	Rubio Jump Shot: Missed
	03:20	Cunningham Rebound (Off:4 Def:4)
	03:02	Barea Foul: Offensive Charge (1 PF)
	03:02	Barea Turnover : Foul (3 TO)
Dragic Turnover : Bad Pass (5 TO) Steal:Kirilenko (2 ST)	02:54
	02:36 [MIN 98-88]	Rubio Pullup Jump shot: Made (19 PTS)
Team Timeout : Regular	02:26
Tucker Substitution replaced by Johnson	02:26
Dragic Turnover : Bad Pass (6 TO)	02:20
	01:59 [MIN 101-88]	Rubio 3pt Shot: Made (22 PTS) Assist: Barea (2 AST)
Morris 3pt Shot: Made (20 PTS) Assist: Dragic (14 AST)	01:50 [PHX 91-101]
	01:26	Cunningham Jump Shot: Missed
Team Rebound	01:24
Dragic 3pt Shot: Missed	01:11
	01:10	Rubio Rebound (Off:1 Def:4)
Johnson Foul: Personal Take (4 PF) (2 FTA)	00:57.9
	00:57.9 [MIN 102-91]	Rubio Free Throw 1 of 2 (23 PTS)
	00:57.9 [MIN 103-91]	Rubio Free Throw 2 of 2 (24 PTS)
Dragic Turnaround Jump Shot: Made (10 PTS)	00:42.2 [PHX 93-103]
	00:25.8 [MIN 105-93]	Cunningham Slam Dunk Shot: Made (13 PTS) Assist: Rubio (10 AST)
Dudley Layup Shot: Missed	00:20.9
	00:19.9	Kirilenko Rebound (Off:0 Def:7)
End of 4th Quarter