Milwaukee 81, Minnesota 67 (F)

LAS VEGAS, July 19 – Darius Washington’s 19 points led the way for the Milwaukee Bucks, who defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 81-67 in 2008 NBA Summer League action on Saturday.

Washington teamed up with Matt Freije, who finished with 16 points in the win, to lead the Bucks.

The Timberwolves (1-3) came out strong, outscoring the Bucks 9-2 in the first six minutes of the game before Milwaukee (3-1) battled back to end the period within five. Milwaukee didn’t let go of the momentum, outscoring the Minnesota 23-16 in the second period to close out the half with a 37-35 lead.

The game stayed close through the third quarter, featuring four lead changes and two ties before the Timberwolves reclaimed the lead midway. The Bucks answered back with Washington racking up seven points in the quarter, to give Milwaukee a five-point lead to start the fourth.

Freije and Matt Lojeski combined for 14 of the Bucks’ 24 fourth-quarter points, as Milwaukee stretched their lead to 14 to defeat the Timberwolves.

Minnesota, who lost 2008 lottery pick Kevin Love to a sore left Achilles midway through the third quarter, was led by Pops Mensah-Bonsu’s 13-point outing.