Spurs Survive Wolves
Related Images
The Wolves put forth their second straight spirited effort, but fell just short of the high-powered San Antonio Spurs 100-99 Thursday night at Target.
The Spurs’ Manu Ginobili hit a 10-footer with 6.2 seconds to play, sending a bullet through the Wolves’ collective heart. Ginobili finished with 44, which led all scorers.
On the ensuing possession, the Wolves’ Randy Foye delivered a cross-court pass to Sebastian Telfair, who had a good look at the basket, but missed the 24-foot three-point attempt.
Al Jefferson was terrific down the stretch, scoring 11 fourth-quarter points including a three-point play with 40 seconds remaining to put the Wolves ahead by one.
“That was a heck of a game, I thought, all the way around,” coach Randy Wittman said. “San Antonio played well and we did a good job. Our guys fought hard. Theo (Ratliff) coming back gave us some energy. Our bench played good. We had 26 assists and passed well out of the double teams.”
We took a look at the numbers from Thursday’s gut-wrenching loss.
Fouls for Corey Brewer before the 9:00 minute mark of the first quarter. Brewer did not re-enter until the 2:08 mark of the second quarter, and only received 12 minutes of playing time on the evening (compared to his season-average of 22.7).
Straight field goals for Sebastian Telfair to start the game, lifting the Wolves to an 8-4 advantage. Bassy finished with 13 first-half points and 15 for the game.
Second-quarter treys for Manu Ginobili, to go along with a pair of field goals. Ginobili was lights out in the teams’ first meeting this season, leading all scorers with 31 points and hitting a ridiculous 7-of-9 from deep. Speaking of ridiculous, Ginobili’s totals from the Spurs’ previous five: 20, 21, 34, 46 and 20. (He came back to earth in the third, missing his first three shots … He’s human, after all.) Oh yeah, and 44 tonight.
NBA titles for San Antonio forward Robert Horry, with three different teams. Two came alongside former teammate Mark Madsen with the L.A. Lakers.
Minute mark in which Theo Ratliff’s first field goal came. Ratliff executed a pump fake at the hands of Tim Duncan, culminated with an and-1 two-handed throw down.
Minutes passed before Theo Ratliff checked in for the Wolves. Ratliff, who saw his first action since the Wolves’ Nov. 16 loss to Washington, finished with 8 points.
First-quarter field goals made for the Wolves in 16 attempts. Minnesota had a 21-16 advantage before a 5-0 Spurs run closed the quarter. 22-21 Spurs after one.
Fourth-quarter points for Al Jefferson, including a baseline drive resulting in an and-1 with :40 to play, giving the Wolves a one-point advantage.
Lead changes, including 11 in the first half. The game was tied 16 times.
The Wolves’ third-quarter field-goal percentage after Minnesota began the quarter 3-of-12, allowing the Spurs to grab their largest lead at 71-61. The Wolves, however, bounced back, finishing the quarter on an 11-3 run. 74-72 Spurs after three.
Points in the paint for the Wolves, compared to 30 for San Antonio. All eight of Theo Ratliff’s points came in the interior.
Fans standing in the final 1:30 to witness the Wolves’ defeat.
