Final
Smith paces Hornets over T'Wolves
Apr 8, 2012 - 5:28 AM New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Jason Smith had a career-high 26 points, 10 rebounds and three steals, as the New Orleans Hornets held off the Minnesota Timberwolves, 99-90."I just tried to come out with a lot of energy," Smith said. "We tried to redeem ourselves from last night in that horrible loss. I thought that we came out and played with a lot of energy and got a big win tonight."
Chris Kaman added 21 points, 10 boards and four blocks for the Hornets, who have won two of three since a three-game skid. Greivis Vasquez donated 11 points and 10 assists.
Kevin Love ended with 29 points and 12 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who have dropped five in a row. Michael Beasley tallied 20 points.
"They seemed to really hit everything tonight," Love said. "It seems that teams keep shooting a good percentage on us, but we brought it on the defensive end, for the most part. We just missed shots. It's tough. We gave ourselves a chance to win, but they just blew it out at the end."
Neither team led by more than five in a first quarter that featured four lead changes and two ties. Minnesota took a 21-20 lead into the second.
With the score tied at 36 with under 4 1/2 minutes left, the Hornets went on an 8-1 flurry. Smith tallied four points during the spurt, including a jumper with 1 1/2 minutes remaining to make it 44-37.
Kaman's bank shot with 3.2 seconds to go gave New Orleans a 46-41 edge at the break.
Love's two free throws and Martell Webster's three-pointer made it a 50-50 contest with 8:24 left in the third stanza.
The Timberwolves took a 62-59 margin on Nikola Pekovic's three-point play moments later. But New Orleans responded with a 14-0 run to take control. The Hornets made a trio of three-pointers during the burst, which Carl Landry capped with two free throws for a 73-62 lead with 1:50 left.
New Orleans held a 79-67 margin after three periods. However, Minnesota started the fourth on a 12-2 run to make it a two-point game.
Holding an 85-83 edge with under five minutes to play, Kaman scored five straight points to give the home team a 90-83 margin.
Following a Beasley three-pointer, Vasquez made a layup and floater to give the Hornets a 94-86 lead with 2:53 to go.
Game Notes
New Orleans took two of three from Minnesota this season...Hornets guard Eric Gordon had 10 points...Beasley had missed the previous five games due to a toe injury...Timberwolves center Darko Milicic (hamstring) missed his fourth straight game...New Orleans guard Jarrett Jack (sore right ankle) and center Chris Johnson (concussion) missed the game.
- MINNESOTA: 90
NEW ORLEANS: 99
Final
Apr 7 10:21 PM - 75
roots - MINNESOTA: 67
NEW ORLEANS: 79
End of 3rd
Apr 7 9:49 PM - 80
roots - 71
roots - MINNESOTA: 41
NEW ORLEANS: 46
Halftime
Apr 7 9:06 PM - 58
roots - MINNESOTA: 21
NEW ORLEANS: 20
End of 1st
Apr 7 8:33 PM - MINNESOTA: 0
NEW ORLEANS: 0
1st Quarter - 12:00
Apr 7 8:12 PM
Related News
- NBA Injury Updates: Karl Anthony Towns and Ben Simmons to Miss Significant Time Mar 7
- Wolves 110, Kings 98: Ant Crowned the King Dec 24
- Game Preview #28: Wolves at Kings Dec 23
- Wolves’ NBA 2K24 Ratings Jump as Team Continues To Soar Dec 23
- Wolves 118, Lakers 111: L.A.’s Championship Hangover Continues Dec 21
- Game Preview #27: Wolves vs. Lakers Dec 21
- In the Loopus with Canis Hoopus: Ja’s Back, Simons’ Dominance, and Phoenix’s Dilemma Dec 21
- 76ers 127, Wolves 113: Embiid Torches Minnesota for 51 Points Dec 20
- Game Preview #26: Wolves at 76ers Dec 20
- How is the Wolves’ Towns/Gobert Duo Finding Success Offensively? Dec 20
- Can Jaden McDaniels Unlock Another Level for the Timberwolves’ Offense? Dec 19
- Wolves 112, Heat 108: Edwards, Towns Combine For 50 In 17-Point Comeback Win Dec 18