Timberwolves 122 - 110 Trail Blazers
Final
  for this game

Love pours in 42, T-Wolves pick up rare win against Blazers

Mar 4, 2012 - 7:59 AM Portland, OR (Sports Network) - Kevin Love finished with 42 points, one off a career-high, in helping the Timberwolves to a 122-110 triumph over Portland, as Minnesota snapped a 16-game skid vs. the Trail Blazers.

Love, who played at Lake Oswego High School, about 20 minutes outside Portland, went 15-of-27 from the field, including 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. The All-Star also had 10 rebounds, as Minnesota beat the Blazers for the first time since March 25, 2007. It was also the team's first triumph at Portland since Dec. 7, 2005.

"I just played in the moment, didn't really worry about being back at home," Love said.

Former Blazer Martell Webster had 21 points and eight rebounds. Derrick Williams scored 15 and Ricky Rubio dished out 12 assists and had two steals, as Minnesota ended a two-game slide.

Nicolas Batum scored 29 and Gerald Wallace ended with 25 points, 14 rebounds and five steals in defeat. Jamal Crawford scored 23 for Portland, which has lost three in a row.

"This team [Minnesota] shot the ball extremely well and we didn't defend," Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan said.

Love had 15 points during a huge first quarter for Minnesota, which made 15- of-22 shots in the period. Early on it was a trio of three-point shots, two from Wesley Johnson and one from Luke Ridnour, that provided the visitors with a 13-3 lead. They held a 40-28 lead after 12 minutes.

Portland finally caught up and went ahead 52-49 on Batum's three with 4:17 left in the half, ending a 10-2 burst. But Love's three-ball in the closing seconds gave Minnesota a 61-60 edge at the break.

Another three-ball from Love extended the lead to eight late in the third, but the Blazers cut it to 84-82 thanks to a three-ball from Elliot Williams in the closing minute.

Williams jammed to start the fourth, but Minnesota then scored the ensuing 11 points to go in front for good. Webster started the run with a pull-up jumper and Love had the final five points, including a tip-in that culminated the spurt. Portland never got closer than nine the rest of the way.

Game Notes

Blazers center Marcus Camby had eight stitches to close a cut on his chin, but returned to the game...Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge was limited to 14 points...Minnesota shot 53.8 percent.






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