01/19/2010 - 16:15
Al Leads Late Rally
by
Matt Martino
Al Jefferson notched his 20th double-double of the season Monday as the Minnesota Timberwolves overcame a 20-point deficit to defeat the Philadelphia 76ers, 108-103.
Five days after they forced Houston to three overtimes before losing, the Wolves needed another extra session on Monday to produce the season's biggest comeback victory.
"Thank God for that," Al joked with Star-Tribune about having to play only one overtime.
No. 25 finished with 23 points and 13 rebounds. Eleven of his 23 points occurred in the fourth quarter and another two in overtime.
Make no mistake: the Al Jefferson who showed All-Star form last season is nearly back (Getty Images). |
It was AJ’s defense, however, that carried the Wolves to victory. His rebounding helped the Wolves win that category 43-39, even with Kevin Love missing the game due to illness.
"I was very impressed with Al's defense," coach Kurt Rambis told the Pioneer Press. "We needed him. I left him out there for extremely long stretches, and he responded."
No. 25 also had two blocked shots, one in the fourth quarter and another in overtime in which the Sixers were limited to four points and no free-throw attempts.
"That's what we need from him," Ryan Gomes said of Al to the Star-Tribune. "He's our center. He's the guy we need to protect the paint on the defensive end, and we know what he can do on that block on the offensive end."
Without Love, the Wolves overcame a 51-31 second-quarter deficit with a 33-18 third-quarter reversal led by Ryan Gomes, who started at Love's power forward position and scored 14 of his 16 points in that quarter alone.
"Defense is what wins games for you," Al noted. "I knew I had to step up with Kevin [Love] not here. He normally helps me out there. Those 12 or 13 rebounds he gets were missed."
FRIDAY NIGHT FRIGHT
Monday's win was a clear turnaround after a tough Friday night loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Wolves had the entire weekend to stew after their 135-110 loss to Memphis, which produced plenty of ire around the team.
AJ played well, scoring 21 first-half points in the 135-110 loss, but coach Kurt Rambis, was so enraged by his team’s play that he benched the entire frontcourt – Al, Kevin Love, and Damien Wilkins – four minutes into the second half.
"Our defense was atrocious. I'm embarrassed about how our guys played. There was no energy or focus on the defensive end," said Rambis to the Star-Tribune, his only comments before storming back into the locker room.
LIGHTER SIDE
As angry as the Wolves were after Friday’s loss in Memphis, they were equally jovial during Thursday’s practice – one day after their three-overtime loss against Houston.
During that contest, Corey Brewer sank a half-court shot to tie the game at the end of regulation. This eventually led to Big Al playing nearly 50 minutes and being extremely sore the next day.
"I'm mad at Brew because he made that shot," No. 25 joked to the Desert Sun. "If we had won, I'd have been happy. But since we lost, I ask him, 'Why did you hit that damn shot and make us keep playing?'"
NEXT UP
Minnesota (9-33) hosts the Oklahoma City Thunder (23-18) on Wednesday. Tip-off is at 7 p.m. Last season, Al averaged 21.3 points, 11.7 rebounds and 1.3 blocks in three contests against the Thunder.
RELATED STORIES
Flynn's career-high 29 help Wolves complete 20-point rally to beat 76ers (AP, January 18, 2010)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300118016
One overtime will do for Wolves (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, January 18, 2010)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/81991992.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7...
Jonny Flynn, Al Jefferson help Timberwolves rally from 20 down to beat Sixers (Pioneer Press, January 18, 2010)
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14217705?source=rss
Rambis apparently reaches end of rope after listless loss (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, January 16, 2010)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/81788387.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUq...
NBA Sunday (Desert Sun, January 16, 2010)
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705359090/NBA-Sunday.html?pg=1
Grizzlies rout Wolves for 7th straight home win (AP, January 15, 2010)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300115029
Bookmark/Search this post with:
Printer-friendly version
Send to friend
