Timberwolves Show Some Love, Edge Kings 98-96

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap, NBA Regular Season Opener

Wednesday night pitted two teams who are similar in that both are in rebuilding mode – the Sacramento Kings and Minnesota Timberwolves. And the game that both teams played did not disappoint any of the 17,820 who came to the Target Center as Minnesota held on to edge Sacramento 98-96 in both teams’ season openers.

This game was also the debut for highly-touted rookie Kevin Love and he acquitted himself fairly well for his first NBA game, scoring 12 points and grabbing 9 rebounds in only 18 minutes on the floor. Both teams shot fairly well in the first half as the Timberwolves held onto a slim 56-49 lead at the half; with Minnesota clinging onto an 81-80 lead, Love dunked, then made a baby hook and converted the free throw, giving Minnesota a 90-84 lead with 6:17 left in the game. Sacramento had their chances to tie or take the lead at the end, but Kevin Martin missed a pair of open 3-pointers and John Salmons‘ putback at the buzzer missed the mark.

Six Timberwolves were in double-figures, led by Al Jefferson with 21 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assist and 2 blocked shots while Rashad McCants added 15 along with 3 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Sacramento was led by Salmons with 24 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists while Jason Thompson added 18 in his rookie debut with 10 rebounds and a blocked shot; Martin chipped in with 17, including three 3-pointers, along with 6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals. Minnesota (1-0) play again on Saturday as they host the Dallas Mavericks while Sacramento (0-1) travel south to Florida to take on the Miami Heat on Friday night.

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