02/08/2010 - 17:42
Make That Four Straight
by
Matt Martino
Al Jefferson had a flashback on Saturday night against the Memphis Grizzlies.
No. 25 channeled the days of way back, almost an entire year ago before he blew-out his knee.
"That felt like the old Al," he said after his team defeated Memphis, 109-102. "That was a good feeling. I even got winded, but that energy was coming out of somewhere for me."
The 'Old’ Al rallied the Wolves to their season-high fourth straight victory by scoring 16 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter.
Al put up 23 points against the Grizzlies (Getty Images). |
He made all eight of his field goal attempts including a stretch of 12 consecutive points with eight minutes left to close the game.
AJ displayed the entire arsenal: a spin move inside for a layup, a thundering dunk off a Kevin Love touch pass in the lane, an eight-foot hook shot, and a couple of 10-foot shot-puts. Even a 20-foot rainbow that Al had doubts about upon releasing.
"I thought he [coach Kurt Rambis] was about to cuss me out," said Al about his long-range attempt.
Al could do no wrong, however, as everything he threw up found the bottom of the net.
“Kurt about had a heart attack when he saw me take that jumper," No. 25 told the Star-Tribune. "I looked over there, he was smiling.”
Rambis was cautiously content with the jumper.
"I thought that was great -- as long as it goes in,” Rambis added. "Al got himself going. He reminded us who he really is as a ballplayer."
During the team’s four-game winning streak, AJ has shot 62.3 percent (33 for 53) and grabbed 42 rebounds. He finished with seven rebounds, four blocks, and two steals to go along with his 23 points against Memphis.
LONG TIME COMING
On Friday, Al chipped in 15 points, eight rebounds, and two blocks as the Wolves defeated the Dallas Mavericks on the road at American Airlines Center.
"My first win in this building," Al told the Star-Tribune. "Ever."
It was also the first time since Jan. 4, 2006 that Minnesota beat the Mavericks.
"That (Dallas) game ranks very high on things we've done this season," Rambis told the Pioneer Press.
Minnesota, which led by as much as 13 in the second half, ended the game on a 13-2 run in the final 2:14 after Dallas had stormed back to grab the lead.
"I told the team afterward how proud I was of them for keeping their heads up," explained Rambis to the Star-Tribune. "That's the point in the past where our guys would start to disappear. That's the time things usually go south for us."
"It is a good win against a playoff caliber team," rookie point guard Johnny Flynn added. "We held them off during that great run and came away with the win."
Minnesota, which ended a nine-game road slide, outscored Dallas 32-19 in the third quarter to lead 89-80 heading into the fourth.
The victory improved the Wolves record to 4-5 against the current top four teams in the Western Conference.
NEXT UP
The Wolves (13-38) travel to Philly on Tuesday to battle the Sixers (19-31).
Earlier this season, Al tallied 23 points and 13 rebounds in a 108-103 win against Philly.
RELATED STORIES
'Old Al' pulls out new tricks in another Wolves victory (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, February 8, 2010)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/83733317.html?page=1&c=y
Jefferson scores 16 of 23 in fourth quarter as Wolves win (AP, February 8, 2010)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300206016
Rambis saw a lot to like in Timberwolves' win at Dallas (Pioneer Press, February 7, 2010)
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14350725?source=rss
Victory shows change is doing Wolves good (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, February 6, 2010)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/83678107.html?page=1&c=y
Closing run ends Timberwolves' 13-game skid vs. Mavs (AP. February 5, 2010)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300205006
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