12/03/2009 - 13:10
A Game of Missed Opportunities
by
Matt Martino
Al Jefferson and the Minnesota Timberwolves had several chances for their first winning streak of the season, but unfortunately, that opportunity slipped away at the free throw line during Wednesday's contest at the Target Center.
The Memphis Grizzlies (7-12) escaped Minnesota with a 97-95 victory.
Al, who finished with 12 points, cut the Memphis lead to 94-92 with a pair of free throws with 2:08 remaining in the game. But the Grizzlies responded with four straight points to stretch their lead to 96-92.
Minnesota's Ryan Gomes (20 points) followed with a 3-pointer that cut the lead to one. And a key 1-2 at the free throw line from Memphis left the Wolves with a glimmer of hope.
With the Wolves down 97-95, Ramon Sessions (16 points) drove to the basket and was fouled with 1.8 seconds to play. Needing to make both free throws to tie the game, Sessions missed the first free throw and the Wolves were unable to secure the rebound of the second free throw, which was missed intentionally.
No. 25 added nine rebounds to his 12 points on an off-night, converting just 4 of 13 from the field. His team picked up the slack and produced one of Minnesota's best first halves of the season, accumulating a 55-47 lead at the break while shooting 57 percent.
A lethargic third quarter quickly erased that momentum as Memphis came out with a 9-1 run. By the end of the third, the Wolves had committed seven turnovers and made only eight baskets in the period, getting outscored 30-18.
"We just fell flat in the third," Coach Kurt Rambis told the Pioneer Press. "We did a lot of good things in the first half, but we missed a chance to build a bigger lead."
"Once again our youth was exposed. We won every quarter except the critical one. We couldn't get organized offensively, couldn't get good scoring chances, good looks."
LOVE SPELL
No. 25 might have his number one running buddy back over the weekend.
Wolves forward Kevin Love could make his season debut as soon as Friday in New Orleans depending on the approval of a specialist in regards to Love's fractured left hand.
"If everything goes according to plan, there is a possibility, yes," Kurt Rambis told the Star-Tribune.
NEXT UP
The Wolves will play a back-to-back over the weekend, at New Orleans (7-11) on Friday and then back home to host the Utah Jazz (10-7), Saturday.
Minnesota has yet to play either team this year. Last season Al averaged 24.5 points, 14 rebounds, and a block against the New Orleans Hornets; and 23 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2 blocks versus the Jazz.
RELATED STORIES
Love hopes to play on Friday (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, December 3, 2009)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/78383502.html?elr=KArksi8cyaiUq...
Conley's 20 help Grizzlies rally past Wolves (AP, December 2, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291202016
Timberwolves return to normalcy with another loss (St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 3, 2009)
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_13913983?source=rss
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