Slam Dunk Central

A forgotten man on the Minnesota Timberwolves, forward Antoine Walker, perhaps made a case for more playing time as he and F Al Jefferson led the T-Wolves from a 21-point deficit to a surprising win over the Indiana Pacers Friday night at Minneapolis.  Minnesota scored their season high in points scored and field goal percentage (.538) in what is probably their best played game of this season.

Indiana shot 75% in the first quarter to take a 40-20 lead; however, Minnesota managed to score 40 of their own in the second quarter.  With timely scoring by T-Wolves guard Sebastian Telfair and Walker - including a 3-pointer by Walker - Minnesota ran off an obscene 30-7 run, giving the T-Wolves a 57-52 lead in the first half.  Minnesota continued their torrid shooting in the second half, scoring 71 second-half points.  You can honestly call this a game where Indiana’s defense woasn’t completely at fault insomuch as Minnesota shot lights out for the majority of the game.

Minnesota, with 7 players in double digits - 3 of them scored at least 23 points - were led by Jefferson with 29 points, 13 rebounds and 3 blocked shots in a fine effort.  Telfair added 27 and 11 assists, while Walker in 24 minutes from off the bench, scored 23 - including six 3-pointers.  Indiana was led by Mike Dunleavy with 30 points, while Danny Granger and Kareem Rush from off the bench scored 14 apiece. 

It is important to note here that 3 of Indiana’s starters - Jamaal Tinsley, Troy Murphy and Jermaine O’Neal - only scored 25 points between them.  On the other hand, Minnesota’s bench scored 47 points.  Minnesota (4-21) take this rare win and travel to New Orleans to face the Hornets Saturday night, while Indiana (14-13) take the short flight home to host the Washington Wizards - also on Saturday.

Stumble it!