12/17/2009 - 16:07
No. 25, Minnesota Fall to Clips
by
Matt Martino
Wednesday at the Target Center, Big Al's double-double streak ended at seven while his team’s winning streak was halted at just one.
The Los Angeles Clippers breezed through Minnesota with a 120-95 victory over the Wolves.
Al scoring against Los Angeles (Getty Images). |
Al finished with 18 points and eight rebounds, a solid night but not on par with the torrid pace of his three previous games in which Al averaged 24.3 points, 12.0 rebounds, and shot 58.5 percent from the floor.
No. 25 and Kevin Love, who finished with 19 points and 12 rebounds, were the only positives from last night’s game as Minnesota dropped to 4-22 after allowing the Clippers to shoot 52 percent from the field. Los Angeles dominated as early as the second quarter, manufacturing a 19-2 run.
"This was a big step backward in my mind," coach Kurt Rambis told the Pioneer Press. "Our defense was abysmal tonight."
"That wasn't the same team as the one in Utah," guard Ramon Sessions added to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. "I don't know what happened to us."
NEXT UP
The Wolves host Sacramento (11-13) on Friday and then travel to Boston for Sunday’s game against the Celtics (20-4).
The big fella dropped 26 points, 11 rebounds, and shot 63 percent in what was one of his finer performances this season in the first meeting between Minnesota and Sacramento. The game tips of at 7 p.m. CST.
When the Wolves hit Beantown on Sunday it will be the last time Al faces his former team, the Celtics, this year. Earlier this season, Al tallied 18 points in only his fifth game back from knee surgery against the Celtics. Tip-off of Sunday's matinee is at 5 p.m. CST. Both games will air locally on FS North.
RELATED STORIES
Minnesota Timberwolves suffer embarrassing home loss to Los Angeles Clippers (St. Paul Pioneer Press, December 17, 2009)
http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_14015304?source=rss
Rambis sees red as defensive blues drag on (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, December 16, 2009)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/79465257.html
Kaman, Clippers make quick work of Wolves (AP, December 16, 2009)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291216016
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