12/09/2009 - 14:56
Al's Double Can't Lift Wolves
by
Matt Martino
Chalk up Minnesota's 94-88 road loss Tuesday night to the Toronto Raptors to inexperience.
Down 84-78 with 3:38 left, Al Jefferson converted a layup that sparked 6-0 Wolves run to tie the game at 84-84 with 1:49 remaining.
On their next possession, however, a Minnesota turnover led to breakaway dunk for Toronto’s Hedo Turkoglu as the Raptors surged ahead for good.
Al finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Overall, Minnesota (3-18) did well on the defensive end, holding the Raptors to 32 percent shooting from the floor and 2 for 21 from 3-point range. Unfortunately, the Wolves couldn’t capitalize on their own hoop, converting a mere 37 percent of their field goals and 3-of-16 from beyond the arc.
The largest disparity between the two teams was at the charity stripe. Toronto made 40-of-48 at the free throw line, both season-highs, while the Wolves finished 19 for 23.
"It's awful tough to beat teams whenever there's a wide margin in the free throws like that," coach Kurt Rambis to the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
NEXT UP
Wednesday night is the rematch with the Hornets and Chris Paul, five days after the Wolves lost in New Orleans.
No. 25 finished with one of his best games of the short season that night (Dec. 4). Tallying 20 points, 14 rebounds, and 4 assists in a Minnsota loss. He also went 10-of-17 from the floor.
In his last two games, Al has converted 34 percent of his field goals (12-35). His season shooting percentage is 44 and his career clip hovers right at 50. Hopefully another solid performance against the Hornets steers Big Al back on track. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST and all the action can be seen regionally on Fox Sports Net Minnesota.
RELATED ARTICLES
Inexperience exacts its toll on Wolves (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, December 9, 2009)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/78815752.html
Bosh has 21 points, 16 rebounds as Raptors extend streak vs. Wolves (AP, December 8, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291208028
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