Slam Dunk Central

I do not know if it is something in the water, but the Minnesota Timberwolves all of a sudden have their offensive mojo - and against a division that they typically do not do very well against.  Al Jefferson’s career-high 39 points on Wednesday played big, enabling the Timberwolves to win a rare home win over the Phoenix Suns 117-107 at Target Center.

Both teams shot very well - Phoenix at 56% to Minnesota’s 50%; but if anything hurt the Suns, it was personal fouls.  Phoenix committed 25, which helped Minnesota at the free throw line (22-13).  The Suns’ Amare Stoudemire started the game with 12 points over the first five minutes, giving Phoenix a 16-6 lead; the Suns did little for the remainder of the half, whether it is from their back-to-back games recently or maybe shocked by the energy put out by the T-Wolves.  In any case, Minnesota’s hot shooting after Phoenix’s initial outburst allowed them to go into halftime with a decent 65-50 lead.

Fast forwarding to the fourth quarter, The Suns’ Leandro Barbosa drained a trey near the 4-minute mark cut the Minnesota lead to 102-92, but the T-Wolves’ Jefferson made a 3-point play, which for the most part sealed the win for Minnesota.  Minnesota’s leading scorer was the aforementioned Jefferson with a career-high 39 points and 15 rebounds, while Marko Jaric scored 15 with 8 rebounds and 10 assists; Ryan Gomes added 14 and 9 rebounds, while Sebastian Telfair and Corey Brewer - from off the bench - pitched in with 13 each.  Telfair also dished out 8 assists.

Phoenix was led by Stoudemire with 33 points and a pair of blocked shots, while Steve Nash added 21 - including 4 treys - and 16 assists; Raja Bell chipped in with 18, including 4 treys as well.  Minnesota (7-34) hope to extend their winning streak to 3 as they next travel to Boston to take on the Celtics Friday night, while Phoenix (30-13) flies to Cleveland to face the Cavaliers - also on Friday.

Stumble it!