Beasley's Basket Gives Timberwolves 98-97 Win
CLEVELAND (AP) -- Michael Beasley scored on a driving layup with 5.9 seconds left to give Minnesota a 98-97 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday night, snapping the Timberwolves' losing streak at seven.
Beasley, who had 28 points, scored after Antawn Jamison's basket with 10.6 seconds left gave Cleveland the lead. After Minnesota called a timeout, Beasley got the ball at the top of the key, drove past Jamison and banked in the winning basket. Cleveland then called a timeout and Jamison's off-balance runner hit the rim twice and bounced off as Kevin Love grabbed the rebound.
Luke Ridnour scored 23 points to help Minnesota improve to 7-24. Love added 16, including 14 in the fourth quarter, and had 18 rebounds for his NBA-leading 26th double-double.
Jamison led Cleveland with 24 points, Anthony Parker had 21 and Mo Williams added 17. The Cavaliers are 1-13 in their last 14 and 8-22 overall.
Trailing 62-57 midway through the third quarter, the Cavaliers pulled ahead on a 31-12 run to take an 88-74 lead. Jawad Williams hit three 3-pointers and J.J. Hickson scored five points during the run.
Love didn't make a field goal until scoring off an offensive rebound with 9:10 to play. He added another basket and hit a 3-pointer that cut it to 88-81 with 6:32 left. Ridnour hit two 3-pointers to help Minnesota get within one at 91-90.
Love's two free throws with 2:13 to play gave Minnesota a 94-93 lead. Mo Williams' two foul shots with 1:30 left put Cleveland ahead 95-94.
After Ridnour missed a shot in the lane with 51 seconds to play, Williams turned the ball over with 31 seconds left. Ridnour missed on a fast break, but Love was fouled after grabbing the rebound and Minnesota pulled ahead with 24.3 seconds to go.
Jamison's basket put Cleveland ahead briefly before Beasley hit the winner.
Cleveland starting shooting guard Daniel Gibson missed the game because of the flu.
NOTES: Minnesota beat Cleveland 129-95 in Minneapolis on Dec. 4. ... Minnesota C Kosta Koufos, hit in the nose during a recent practice, wore a mask in the first half, but discarded it in the third quarter. ... The Timberwolves, who have played seven of their last eight on the road, will play New Orleans at home Monday night. ... F Joey Graham (pulled quad) missed the game for Cleveland.
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