Jefferson Scores 32, Leads Timberwolves Past Warriors 115-108

Posted by Stephen Rhodes under NBA Game Recap

The Minnesota Timberwolves, fresh off an embarrassing loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Tuesday in which they surrendered a 29-point lead, needed a game that was the polar opposite of that debacle. Enter the short-handed Golden State Warriors, who were missing Brandan Wright with a sprained wrist and Corey Maggette with a problematic hamstring. Apparently this was one of those times where home cooking and favorable matchups worked out in the Timberwolves’ favor as Al Jefferson poured in 32 points, leading Minnesota to a 115-108 win over Golden State at Target Center.

Both teams shot well in the first half as Minnesota outscored Golden State 32-26 in the first quarter while the Warriors outscored the Timberwolves 31-26, with the end result being Minnesota taking a slim one-point lead into the locker room at halftime. Fast-forwarding to the fourth quarter, the T-Wolves held a 7-point lead and were able to increase their advantage with a 10-3 run - capped by a Jefferson layup - giving Minnesota a 101-89 lead with 6:21 remaining.

A jumper by Golden State’s Stephen Jackson reduced Minnesota’s lead to seven with 3:16 left in the game; however, Jefferson hit a pair of free throws and Randy Foye hit a 3-pointer, giving the Timberwolves a comfortable lead that the Warriors couldn’t reduce. Minnesota’s high scorer was Jefferson with 32 points, 10 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and a blocked shot while Ryan Gomes added 21 with 10 rebounds, an assist and a steal; Kevin Love pitched in, scoring 19 with 8 rebounds and an assist in only 26 minutes of playing time while Foye added 17 with 3 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 steals and a blocked shot.

Golden State was led by Jackson with 25 points, 3 rebounds, 7 assists, a steal and a blocked shot, but committed 6 turnovers while Andris Biedrins added 18 with 13 rebounds, an assist and 2 blocked shots; Anthony Morrow poured in 14 with 4 rebounds. Minnesota (7-25) plays again on Saturday when they travel to Chicago to take on the Bulls while Golden State (10-25) jets to Salt Lake City to face the Utah Jazz on Monday.

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