Timberwolves Win 93-72 To Keep Wizards Winless
WASHINGTON (AP) — Kevin Love had 20 points and 16 rebounds, Ricky Rubio had 13 points and a career-high 14 assists, and the Minnesota Timberwolves broke a two-game losing streak Sunday with a 93-72 victory over the winless Washington Wizards.
Spanish rookie Rubio also grabbed six rebounds and controlled the game during much of his 30 minutes off the bench. He entered with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter and quickly hit a 22-foot jump shot to start a 17-2 run that gave Minnesota the lead for good.
Six players scored in double figures for the Timberwolves, who shot 45 percent to open their first set of three games in three days during the lockout-shortened season. They are playing all three without forward Michael Beasley, who sprained his right foot during Friday night's loss to Cleveland.
Nick Young and Trevor Booker scored 14 points apiece to lead the Wizards, who dropped to 0-8 to extend their franchise-worst start to a season. Washington has already lost four games by 18 or more points, and the team was showered with boos from the home fans when the deficit reached 19 points in the fourth quarter.
John Wall again struggled with his shot, going 3 for 10 from the field to finish with 10 points. Andray Blatche was 5 for 16, and Jordan Crawford went 3 for 11 to contribute to Washington's 34 percent shooting — as well as the team's lowest point total of the year. The Wizards made just 5 of 23 field goals in the fourth quarter.
The Wizards made a few runs after falling behind by double digits in the second quarter, but they never got closer than seven points in the second half. Rookie Derrick Williams hit back-to-back 3-pointers to quash one comeback attempt, pushing the lead to 15 points late in the third quarter.
The only Wizards spark came from Booker, who came off the bench to shoot 7 for 9 from the field. Washington first-round pick Jan Vesely, making his debut after missing the first seven games with a hip injury, shot an air ball on his first NBA free throw attempt and finished with two points in nine minutes.
NOTES: With Beasley out, Wesley Johnson started at forward and Wayne Ellington moved into the starting lineup at guard. ... The Timberwolves go to Toronto on Monday and finish up their three-in-three days with a home game against Chicago on Tuesday. ... Minnesota G J.J. Barea sat out for the first fifth time in six games with a strained left hamstring. ... This was the only meeting between the teams this season. ... Minnesota had lost seven straight at Washington, last winning on Dec. 12, 2003.
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