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Timberwolves take down Blazers again

Mar 8, 2012 - 5:26 AM Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - The Timberwolves defeated the Trail Blazers, 106-94, on Wednesday behind 29 points and 16 rebounds from Kevin Love.

Luke Ridnour added 22 points and Wesley Johnson had 19 for the Timberwolves, who had lost 16 in a row to the Trail Blazers before Saturday's win in Portland. They have won five straight at home and three straight overall.

Raymond Felton and LaMarcus Aldridge had 23 and 22 points, respectively, for the Trail Blazers, who have dropped four of their last five.

Minnesota made a season-high 13 three-pointers on 23 attempts while Portland went just 3-of-23 from beyond the arc.

"Their team was settling for jump shots. They missed more than they made and I think that kept them off the free throw line," Minnesota swingman Martell Webster said of the Trail Blazers, who attempted just four foul shots.

Ridnour opened the fourth with a three, extending the Timberwolves' lead to nine, 83-72. The Trail Blazers responded with six straight, pulling within five, 83-78, on Elliot Williams' jumper, but Minnesota re-established a double-digit advantage, 88-78, with two free throws from Love and a three from Webster.

Portland cut its deficit to six, 92-86, on a Gerald Wallace 19-footer with four minutes remaining. But Ridnour answered with a deep pull-up three- pointer, then made a pair of free throws on Minnesota's next touch to make it 97-86.

The Timberwolves were not threatened the rest of the way.

They started as they finished, grabbing a 37-31 after one behind 15 points from Love, who went 3-for-3 from beyond in the quarter.

"We let those guys have a big start again," said Portland coach Nate McMillan. "We really have to establish ourselves defensively. Offensively, I think we are settling for a lot of jump shots."

The Trail Blazers pulled even midway through the second, using an 8-0 run to overcome a 47-39 deficit. Minnesota, though, took a 61-54 lead into the break after closing with five straight and was up 81-72 after three.

Game Notes

Portland had won its previous eight visits to Minnesota....Love, Ridnour and Johnson all made three three-pointers...Felton had nine assists...The Timberwolves outrebounded the Trail Blazers, 47-37.