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Love, Wolves hold off Knicks

Nov 4, 2013 - 7:08 AM New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Kevin Love had 34 points and 15 rebounds and the Minnesota Timberwolves withstood a New York fourth-quarter rally in their 109-100 triumph over the Knicks.

The Wolves, who improved to 3-0 for the first time in 12 years, had a 40-19 advantage after the opening frame and led by as many as 23 before the Knicks charged back and pulled within two with 4:48 left.

Minnesota, though, tallied the next six points and New York never threatened again.

Kevin Martin made all five of his attempts from distance and netted 30 points in the win.

"It's only three games. We're happy where we're at. But we know we still have to take a couple more steps to be that team that we know we can be once April comes," Martin said.

Carmelo Anthony had 22 points and 17 rebounds for the Knicks, who have lost two straight since winning their opener.

Metta World Peace scored the first five points of a 22-7 Knicks run that began in the latter stages of the third and concluded on Iman Shumpert's left wing 3 that cut the Minnesota gap to 100-98.

Pablo Prigioni, though, was called for a technical foul after the Shumpert make. Martin made the foul shot and then banged home a tough contested trey from the left wing. After Shumpert missed a triple at the other end, Love banked home an off-balanced jumper from the left wing to make it 106-98 with 3:19 remaining.

New York never got within less than six the rest of the way.

Minnesota, which is averaging 37.3 points in the first quarter, shot 66.7 percent (14-of-21) in the opening frame. Love netted 13 points, while Rubio added 11.

"That was the difference in the game," Knicks coach Mike Woodson said. "You just can't come out on your home court and dig a hole."

The Wolves took a 64-49 edge into the break and led 93-78 after three.

Game Notes

Minnesota was 10-of-27 from beyond the arc (37 percent), while New York finished 9-of-32 (28.1 percent) from downtown ... Love was 12-of-15 from the foul line, but just 2-of-8 from three.