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Monday, Apr. 17 10:30pm ET
Hughes racks up 33 points in defeat | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- The numbers on a locker-room chalkboard told the story of the Minnesota Timberwolves' turnaround over the course of the season: 7-13 to 50. The first numbers referred to Minnesota's dismal start. The second reflected Minnesota reaching its 50th win of the season by beating the Golden State Warriors 101-96 Monday night. "Fifty means a lot to these guys," said Minnesota coach Flip Saunders, whose club became the first in Timberwolves' history to win 50 games. "We have a lot of players who were here when we won 20 games. We've all been there. No team in this league has gone 7-13 and then come back and won 50 games. From a personal accomplishment standpoint, it was something they really wanted." Getting the milestone victory wasn't easy. The Timberwolves rallied from a 15-point deficit and then blew a 12-point fourth-quarter lead before getting the win with plenty of help from Terrell Brandon, who led Minnesota with 21 points. Anthony Peeler scored all seven of his points in the fourth quarter, including a crucial three-point play. Joe Smith had 14 points, and Malik Sealy and Kevin Garnett added 13 apiece for the playoff-bound Timberwolves. "Fifty wins is something that a lot of guys on the team haven't experienced," Sealy said. "This is my first time and I've been in the league eight years. It's odd that 50 wins this year gets you the sixth seed in the West but it's a great accomplishment, especially for this franchise." Larry Hughes had 33 points to lead Golden State, which will match a team record for losses in a season (63) if it drops its season finale Wednesday against Phoenix. Mark Davis added 13 points and Vonteego Cummings had 12 for the Warriors, who lost three of four games against Minnesota this season. "That's a darn good team. They've won 70 percent of their games since the All-Star break," Golden State coach Garry St. Jean said. "We gave them all they wanted." Trailing by 15 late in the second quarter and down five at halftime, the Timberwolves surged in front with a 16-4 flurry to open the third quarter. Brandon hit a 12-foot jumper to get Minnesota started and Wally Szczerbiak made a pair of key baskets to keep the run going, including a breakaway dunk that gave the Timberwolves a 56-51 lead with 6:47 left in the third. Brandon finished the third with a 3-pointer and driving layup, giving Minnesota a 78-69 lead, and Smith had consecutive putbacks that put the Timberwolves up 84-72 with 8:54 remaining. Then it was Golden State's turn to rally as Cummings hit three 3-pointers during a 13-0 flurry over the next two minutes that allowed the Warriors to go back in front 85-84 with 5:47 left. Peeler converted his three-point play to tie it at 91-all with 3:01 remaining, and Sealy's 6-foot hook shot with 1:06 left gave Minnesota a 95-93 edge. After Hughes made a pair of free throws, another hook shoot by Sealy put Minnesota back on top. Mookie Blaylock missed a long jumper with 50 seconds to go and Smith put in a reverse layup for a four-point cushion with 33 seconds left. The Warriors' next possession ended in a turnover when Peeler stripped Cummings on a drive. Peeler was fouled and made both free throws to secure the milestone victory. Golden State led 28-17 after the first quarter and used a 10-2 run to open a 15-point edge late in the second quarter. Hughes capped the flurry with two successive baskets, including a dunk that put the Warriors up 44-29 with 4:06 left in the second. On the brink of getting blown out, the Timberwolves got back in the game. William Avery hit consecutive 3-pointers as Minnesota pulled within 47-42 at halftime. Game notesMinnesota had never won more than 45 games before this season. ... The Wolves have overcome double-digit deficits 10 times this season. ... The Warriors had nine players because of injuries. Hughes played the entire game. ... Golden State has lost 12 of its last 14 meetings with Minnesota. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Minnesota Clubhouse Golden State Clubhouse RECAPS Milwaukee 85 Orlando 83
Minnesota 101
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