Hawks Rally From 18 Down, Beat Timberwolves 93-91
ATLANTA (AP) — Joe Johnson scored 25 points, Ivan Johnson hit the clinching free throws with 4.6 seconds remaining and the Atlanta Hawks rallied from from 18 points down to beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 93-91 on Saturday night.
Kevin Love missed a potential game-tying jump shot at the buzzer, but finished with 30 points and 13 rebounds for Minnesota, which was trying to win consecutive road games for the first time since last Feb. 7-8 at New Orleans and Houston. The Timberwolves were coming off a seven-point victory Friday against the Hornets.
Jeff Teague added 20 points and 10 assists for the Hawks, who overcame a season-high 20 turnovers to win their second straight game after losing Al Horford to a torn pectoral muscle that will sideline the starting center for three to four months.
Ricky Rubio had 18 points and 12 assists for Minnesota. With 3:40 left in the third quarter, Rubio's 12-foot runner from the left baseline gave the Timberwolves the game's biggest lead at 18.
But Atlanta went on a 23-2 run that was capped by Teague's 3 with 8:48 remaining, putting the Hawks up 76-73 and giving them a lead for the first time since the game's first minute.
Ivan Johnson, playing a season-high 25 minutes with Horford out, finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Love scored 30 points for the 12th time in his career and finished with a double-double for an NBA-leading 12th time.
NOTES: Hawks F Marvin Williams returned to the lineup and had eight points and eight rebounds in 19 minutes. Williams missed the last three games with a sprained left ankle. ... Minnesota F Michael Beasley (right foot sprain) and reserve G Jose Barea (left ankle) did not make the two game road trip. ... Hawks reserve G Tracy McGrady missed his third straight game with back spasms.
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