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Wiggins' double-double lifts Timberwolves past Blazers

Dec 11, 2014 - 6:14 AM Minneapolis, MN (SportsNetwork.com) - Andrew Wiggins posted his first career double-double to help the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 90-82 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday.

Wiggins finished with a team-high 23 points with 10 rebounds for Minnesota, which snapped a six-game losing streak overall and at home.

"The baby Wolves grew up tonight at times," said Minnesota coach Flip Saunders. "Wiggins looked like the No. 1 overall pick tonight. He knew that we were going to him in the fourth."

The Timberwolves last victory at Target Center was Nov. 19 against New York.

Corey Brewer had 19 points and Thaddeus Young added 13 points in the win.

Damian Lillard, who entered the contest 8-1 in his career against Minnesota, led the Blazers with 23 points to go along with seven rebounds and five assists.

Wesley Matthews tallied 18 points and LaMarcus Aldridge scored all of his 10 points in the second half for Portland, which had a five-game winning streak snapped.

"They played with a lot of energy and they scored a lof of energy points," Blazers coach Terry Stotts said. "Those plays not only gave them energy, but were a little deflating to us."

Brewer's 3-pointer just before the third-quarter buzzer was Minnesota's lone 3 of the game and gave the hosts a 66-51 lead entering the fourth.

The Timberwolves led by 12 early in the fourth when Aldridge knocked down a 3- pointer prior to Matthews dialing in from long distance. Robin Lopez then made a tough layup off a Nicolas Batum feed to cap the 8-0 run and cut the deficit to 76-72 with 5:15 remaining.

Minnesota responded with a 7-2 burst that Wiggins capped with a jumper from the elbow for an 83-74 advantage.

Portland managed to trim the deficit back to five, 83-78, after a pair of free throws from Lillard. The Timberwolves nearly threw the ball away, but it was Wiggins who came up with a clutch rebound.

Zach LaVine lost the ball at halfcourt when Young grabbed it. Young then almost got the ball taken away from him before a frantic sequence ensued and Brewer had to unload a deep 3 that was off the mark. However, Wiggins came up with the loose ball and split a pair of free throws.

Lillard shot an off-balanced trey at the other end and Gorgui Dieng nailed a pair at the line to make it 86-78 with 48.6 seconds left.

Minnesota led 20-16 after the first quarter. Wiggins capped an 8-0 run with just over eight minutes to play in the half and the Timberwolves led 44-36 at the break.

Game Notes

Aldridge was held scoreless in the first half for the first time since February, 2008 ... Portland had its seven-game road winning streak snapped ... Minnesota finished 1-for-12 from beyond the arc ... Aldridge went 3-for-14 from the floor, while Lillard shot 2-for-12 from 3-point range ... The Timberwolves had a 56-38 edge on the glass.