Wolves Heat Up in Home Win
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Finally, something clicked.
The Wolves defeated the Miami Heat at Target Center Tuesday night behind Rashad McCants’ 27 points and four other contributors in double figures.
Tuesday’s victory should seem odd. The Heat are a year-and-a-half removed from an NBA title and have arguably the NBA’s best off-guard in Dwyane Wade, and yet are in the exact position as the Wolves are … almost.
Miami entered Tuesday’s contest with an NBA-second-worst 8-26 record and without Shaquille O’Neal, who is in Los Angeles tending to an injured hip. It appears, although unexpected, that the Heat’s rebuilding efforts are similar to those of the Wolves.
While addressing assembled media at Target Center after Monday’s practice, Minnesota vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale repeatedly talked about finding a “competitive edge.”
On Tuesday, they had it. The little things: Sebastian Telfair and Rashad McCants displaying leadership after an early turnover, the bounce in the Wolves’ collective step as they exited the floor, the crisper outlets and will to push the ball … that “competitive edge.”
“We had a strong, running practice yesterday,” guard Sebastian Telfair said. “We definitely got the idea where coach is coming from. We want to run, and that’s what we have to do. That’s exactly what we did today; we pushed the ball up.”
Minnesota led 29-18 after one quarter, thanks in large part to Al Jefferson’s eight points and McCants’ six. The Wolves went inside early, taking advantage of the absent Shaq, and scored 14 in the paint compared to the Heat’s four.
“(Getting the ball inside) was our main focus tonight,” Jefferson said. “Anyone can shoot jumpers.”
Rashad McCants had 18 points, 4 rebounds, two of them offensive-rebound putbacks and two assists by halftime. He finished with 27, eight and four.
“The game plan was to be aggressive. It was going to be a war,” McCants said. “It’s about time we get it together, gelling as a team, and executing. We want to go out and prove that we are here playing hard every night and competing.”
Tuesday was a homecoming for the Heat’s Ricky Davis and Mark Blount, who were traded to Miami in October. Davis’ first hoop came with 8:20 to go in the third and he finished with five. Blount’s box was slightly better: nine points and four rebounds.
Jefferson was his typical self – scoring 18 and grabbing 10 boards, his 26th double-double – and was the main benefactor behind the Wolves’ 42 points in the paint, and ultimately, their sixth victory.
Minnesota led virtually the entire way – and by as many as 19 – en route to its first win in eight tries.
Wade led Miami with 25 points and cut the Wolves’ lead to six with 1:56 to play. However, defensive stops down the stretch, a Big Al layin courtesy of Ryan Gomes and a Marco Jaric three-pointer prevented Miami from getting any closer.
Minnesota also had a season-high 29 assists – including Sebastian Telfair’s nine – and as a team committed only 13 turnovers.
“It starts with me, the ball movement,” Telfair said. “I was in the right place, penetrating and getting guys open. If the team sees the point guard doing it, everyone follows.”
Head coach Randy Wittman was pleased with his team’s effort but continues to set new goals.
“(We had) overall good effort. We had that energy and bounce tonight,” Wittman said. “We need wins. We’re not going out not to win. But we need to be consistent in our effort. One of the things I try to do along the course here is (that) I’m trying to set many goals for these guys. One of our many goals is (that) we haven’t one two games in a row. That’s a goal of ours. That’s our next step. Our next game, we have a chance to achieve our goal.”
The Wolves defeated the Miami Heat at Target Center Tuesday night behind Rashad McCants’ 27 points and four other contributors in double figures.
Tuesday’s victory should seem odd. The Heat are a year-and-a-half removed from an NBA title and have arguably the NBA’s best off-guard in Dwyane Wade, and yet are in the exact position as the Wolves are … almost.
Miami entered Tuesday’s contest with an NBA-second-worst 8-26 record and without Shaquille O’Neal, who is in Los Angeles tending to an injured hip. It appears, although unexpected, that the Heat’s rebuilding efforts are similar to those of the Wolves.
While addressing assembled media at Target Center after Monday’s practice, Minnesota vice president of basketball operations Kevin McHale repeatedly talked about finding a “competitive edge.”
On Tuesday, they had it. The little things: Sebastian Telfair and Rashad McCants displaying leadership after an early turnover, the bounce in the Wolves’ collective step as they exited the floor, the crisper outlets and will to push the ball … that “competitive edge.”
“We had a strong, running practice yesterday,” guard Sebastian Telfair said. “We definitely got the idea where coach is coming from. We want to run, and that’s what we have to do. That’s exactly what we did today; we pushed the ball up.”
Minnesota led 29-18 after one quarter, thanks in large part to Al Jefferson’s eight points and McCants’ six. The Wolves went inside early, taking advantage of the absent Shaq, and scored 14 in the paint compared to the Heat’s four.
“(Getting the ball inside) was our main focus tonight,” Jefferson said. “Anyone can shoot jumpers.”
Rashad McCants had 18 points, 4 rebounds, two of them offensive-rebound putbacks and two assists by halftime. He finished with 27, eight and four.
“The game plan was to be aggressive. It was going to be a war,” McCants said. “It’s about time we get it together, gelling as a team, and executing. We want to go out and prove that we are here playing hard every night and competing.”
Tuesday was a homecoming for the Heat’s Ricky Davis and Mark Blount, who were traded to Miami in October. Davis’ first hoop came with 8:20 to go in the third and he finished with five. Blount’s box was slightly better: nine points and four rebounds.
Jefferson was his typical self – scoring 18 and grabbing 10 boards, his 26th double-double – and was the main benefactor behind the Wolves’ 42 points in the paint, and ultimately, their sixth victory.
Minnesota led virtually the entire way – and by as many as 19 – en route to its first win in eight tries.
Wade led Miami with 25 points and cut the Wolves’ lead to six with 1:56 to play. However, defensive stops down the stretch, a Big Al layin courtesy of Ryan Gomes and a Marco Jaric three-pointer prevented Miami from getting any closer.
Minnesota also had a season-high 29 assists – including Sebastian Telfair’s nine – and as a team committed only 13 turnovers.
“It starts with me, the ball movement,” Telfair said. “I was in the right place, penetrating and getting guys open. If the team sees the point guard doing it, everyone follows.”
Head coach Randy Wittman was pleased with his team’s effort but continues to set new goals.
“(We had) overall good effort. We had that energy and bounce tonight,” Wittman said. “We need wins. We’re not going out not to win. But we need to be consistent in our effort. One of the things I try to do along the course here is (that) I’m trying to set many goals for these guys. One of our many goals is (that) we haven’t one two games in a row. That’s a goal of ours. That’s our next step. Our next game, we have a chance to achieve our goal.”
