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Love records another double-double, T-Wolves beat Mavs

Jan 26, 2012 - 6:35 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Kevin Love celebrated his contract extension in predictable fashion, scoring 31 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the Timberwolves' 105-90 trouncing of the shorthanded Mavericks.

Love, who agreed to a four-year extension earlier Wednesday, notched his 16th straight double-double, as the Timberwolves halted a two-game slide. Ricky Rubio added 17 points and 12 assists and Wayne Ellington scored 16.

"It was a good day," said Love. "I wanted to put everything aside that happened off the court and really wanted to focus on the game tonight."

The Mavericks, meanwhile, received their 2011 NBA championship rings prior to the game. Dirk Nowitzki participated in the ceremony but not the loss, missing his third straight game with a sore knee.

Jason Terry had a team-high 17 points and Shawn Marion chipped in 15, as the Mavericks' seven-game home win streak came to an end.

For Dallas, the scene was fairly reminiscent of Christmas Day, when the team unfurled its first-ever NBA championship banner to great excitement, then suffered a season-opening shellacking at the hands of the Heat.

On Thursday, the setback was less emphatic, but still thorough. The Mavs led 54-52 at the half behind 11 points from Terry but were significantly outplayed after the break. They were outscored 26-18 in the third, as the Timberwolves built their lead to as many as seven.

The advantage grew to 17 in the fourth, as Love poured in 12 points over the final 12 minutes and the Timberwolves cracked the century mark, becoming the first team to do so against the Mavs in 16 games.

"I think we're all happy that we don't have any more ceremonies for our championship so we can just concentrate on basketball," said Mavs guard Jason Kidd.

Game Notes

The Mavericks' streak of holding its previous 15 opponents under 100 points marked a franchise record...Love would have become a restricted free agent if he and the Timberwolves didn't complete a deal before Wednesday's 11 p.m. deadline. The former No. 5 overall draft pick has averaged 15.8 points and 11.9 rebounds in three-plus seasons for Minnesota...Former Mav and current Minnesota reserve J.J. Barea received his championship ring but didn't play due to a sprained left ankle.