03/09/2010 - 17:53
Back in Full Force
by
Matt Martino
After a nine-day absence, No. 25 returned to the lineup with his best game of the season on Monday.
Big Al Jefferson posted a season-best 36 points (15-of-21 from the floor), 13 rebounds, and 2 blocks in a losing effort as the Minnesota Timberwolves fell, 125-112, against the Dallas Mavericks.
"I was just real anxious to get back," Al told the Star-Tribune. "I felt like I let my teammates down, let my fans down, and I was real anxious to get back to try to get a win."
The layoff taught Al a valuable lesson that he spoke about prior to the game:
"It was the longest seven days of my life," he said during the team’s morning shoot-around. "I feel good. I'm glad I'm back and I have to make sure I stay back this time."
Big Al going off for two of his 36 points (Getty Images). |
The big fella also logged 38 minutes, the most since February 6. Al credits that to hard work during his lay-off.
"It was no vacation, I know that. The only thing I didn't do this past week was play games. I was working real hard before and after practice. I was just real anxious to get back. I felt like I let my teammates down, my fans down. I kind of had lost my confidence."
The swagger was in full effect Monday at the Target Center as AJ was four points shy of tying his career-high in scoring. He dropped 40 points at Charlotte on April 8, 2008. The contest against the Mavericks also marked the 77th time he posted at least 20 points and 10 rebounds in a game since joining the Wolves in the 2007-08 season.
"I got my confidence back up after my little trouble, and I know what I'm able to do. It's all about finishing these last 18 games off right, for myself and the team."
Al scored 11 points while hitting his first five attempts from the field in the game’s opening five minutes, propelling the Wolves to an early 21-13 lead. But Dallas responded with their own run, 21-6, when No. 25 sat down for a breather.
Minnesota was never able to recover due to 26 turnovers that led to 32 points for the Mavs.
"You can't have 20-some turnovers," Al told the Star Tribune. "You just can't do that. It's impossible to win. That's the game right there. We lost by 13. We can't let bad plays get us down. It's so easy to get a young team down, so easy to feel sorry for yourself."
But every day the Wolves are learning a lifetime worth of lessons that will help them grow as a team.
"Basketball is a game of mistakes, life is mistakes," Al said. "You make a mistake, you learn from it."
NEXT UP
After a day of preparation, Minnesota (14-50) will host the Denver Nuggets (42-21).
This is the fourth and final meeting between the Western Conference foes. Denver leads the season series at 2-1. Al has averaged 16.7 points, 12 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks in those three games.
Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. CST and the game can be seen on FS North.
RELATED STORIES
Jefferson's return is just not enough (Minneapolis Star-Tribune, March 9, 2010)
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/86971187.html
Jefferson returns to Timberwolves (AP, March 9, 2010)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=4976324
Marion's double-double helps Mavs to 12th straight win; Hollins ejected (AP, March 8, 2010)
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=300308016
Wolves Dropped At Home (NBA.com, March 8, 2010)
http://www.nba.com/timberwolves/news/Wolvest_Droppedt_At_Home_2010_03_08...
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