| |
|
NBA -- Wolves maul Trail Blazers, 121-113
By Homer D. Sayson PhilBoxing.com Sun, 08 Mar 2015

CHICAGO -- Shooting guards Kevin Martin and Gary Neal proved to be a lethal 1-2 punch combination on Friday night.
Martin made 11 of 21 field goals for 29 points while Neal drilled 8-of-11 shots for 27 points to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 121-113 victory over the visiting Portland Trail Blazers at the Target Center in Minneapolis.
It was only Minnesota's 14th win in 61 outings but it was a great team effort that demonstrated how deadly the Timberwolves can be with the talent in their roster.
Rookie of the Year top candidate Andrew Wiggins joined the fray with 18 points, four rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists while point guard Ricky Rubio ran the offense efficiently with 13 points and 15 dimes.
"As a shooter, I always call it the UFO effect. Sometimes you run up and down the court five or six times and don't touch the ball, then there's three seconds on the clock and everybody expects you to make it.
"That's a tough position to be in but coach Flip (Saunders) has put me in a position where I'm always involved and that's probably why my shooting has been good thus far," Neal told the Minneapolis Star after his terrific shooting night.
Portland shot well from the field -- 43 of 88 for 48.9 percent -- but the Wolves shot slightly better at 46 of 85 for 54.1 percent.
Damian Lillard led the Blazers with 32 points and eight assists and LaMacus Aldridge added 22 and eight rebounds. Nicolas Batum finished with 17 points while arron Afflalo had 14.
Portland dropped to 41-20 for fourth place in the crowded Western Conference. (HDS)
Photo: Kevin Martin's sharpshooting (29 points) helped the Minnesota Timberwolves shoot down the Portland Trail Blazers, 121-113, at the Target Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN , Wed, 18 Feb 2026CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3 , Wed, 18 Feb 20262026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced , Wed, 18 Feb 2026Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22 By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace” By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies" By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000 By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card , Tue, 17 Feb 2026TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando , Tue, 17 Feb 2026Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026 By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026“The Nightmare” Back in Action: Oguni vs Tapales April 3 in Japan By Carlos Costa, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026Cold Comfort: Tapales and Vitor Frozen Out in Moscow Heartbreaker By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026WBC Celebrates 63 years of dedication to the sports and fighters By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026BOXING STARS FROM AROUND THE WORLD LINING UP FOR 2026 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND IN "BOXING’S HOMETOWN" , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts , Fri, 13 Feb 2026IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS , Fri, 13 Feb 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|