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Love's triple-double leads T-Wolves over Grizzlies

Apr 3, 2014 - 6:36 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Kevin Love recorded his second triple- double in four games, posting 24 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists in the Minnesota Timberwolves' 102-88 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday.

Love, who also had a triple-double against the Lakers last Friday, went 9- of-15 from the field for the Timberwolves, who snapped a two-game skid. Kevin Martin and Ricky Rubio tallied 21 and 14 points, respectively.

"We wanted to find some sense of motivation and that's what we found tonight," Love said. "We just wanted to knock off a team that is fighting right now."

Minnesota center Ronny Turiaf had 11 points, seven boards and three blocks in his return to the lineup. It was his first game since Feb. 19 due to a bone bruise in his right knee.

Marc Gasol ended with 18 points and seven rebounds for the Grizzlies, who went 2-3 on a five-game road trip. Courtney Lee and Ed Davis donated 14 and 10 points, respectively.

"It was one of those games, end of a road trip, (when you) can't feel your legs, trying to push through it," Memphis forward Zach Randolph said. "It just felt like we were running in the mud. We have to put this one behind us. Every game counts, but this one really hurt and we need to put it behind us."

Memphis, Dallas and Phoenix sit in a three-way tie for the seventh spot in the Western Conference.

Each team scored 20 points in a first quarter that featured five lead changes and three ties.

Minnesota opened the second stanza on an 11-2 run and never looked back. Shabazz Muhammad scored six points during the spurt that Turiaf capped with a slam for a 31-22 lead.

The Grizzlies did get within three, 44-41, later in the period, but the Timberwolves scored the final four points of the half.

Minnesota pulled away in the third frame. Holding a 61-52 edge with 6:15 to go, the home team went on a 7-0 spurt. Martin's 3-pointer and slam and Rubio's bank shot made it a 68-52 contest.

The Timberwolves took a 77-61 margin into the fourth, where they cruised to victory.

Game Notes

The Grizzlies had won six in a row at Minnesota coming into Wednesday's game ... Minnesota center Nikola Pekovic (ankle) missed the game ... Love recorded his third career triple-double ... Minnesota shot 53.1 percent from the floor.