MINNEAPOLIS - The negative 14 weather temperature in the Land of 10,000 Lakes didn't dampen the warmth and excitement of the sold-out crowd 18,978 who trooped to the newly renovated Target Center to watch their beloved Minnesota Timberwolves defeat the New York Knicks, 118-108.
With their sixth straight sell-out since the Kevin Garnett (KG) era, the Wolves got their seventh consecutive home win behind eight players who scored in double figures. Karl-Anthony Towns who led the Timberwolves with 23 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists. Taj Gibson added 17 points and 6 rebounds while Andrew Wiggins chipped in 16 and 6 rebounds.
Jimmy Butler also joined in the fray with 13 markers and 4 boards while Jeff Teague had a solid 12 points, 4 rebounds and 8 dimes. Nemanja Bjelica, Jamal Crawford and Gorgui Dieng had 10 apiece. Apple Valley, Minnesota native and back up point guard Tyus Jones delivered 7 points, 2 boards, 4 assists and a steal.
The Timberwolves played slow pace in the opening quarter and trailed by three, 27-24. The Knicks kept control at the half, 57-55. But the Timberwolves took the driver's seats at the end of the 3rd session 87-86. And when head coach Tom Thibodeau inserted Towns and four reserved player ---- Bjelica, Crawford, Dieng and Jones ------ the Wolves pulled for good in the final quarter, 106-92 with 6:35 to play.
Because of his leadership on offense and defense the fans chanted "MVP, MVP!!!" each time former Chicago Bull Butler held the ball in the fourth period.
"I thought the bench players at the end of the third and start of the fourth period gave us a big lift. We started the game with not much energy but we found a way to win in the end" Thibodeau told ESPN at the post game interview.
Knicks starting playmaker Jarrett Jack topscored for the losing team with 18 points and 8 dimes. Seven-foot and 4 inches behemoth center from Latvia Kristaps Porzingis contributed 17 and 10 rebounds.
Enes Kanter had 16 points and 12 rebounds for the Knicks while Tim Hardaway Jr who just returned from injury added 16 off the bench. Swingman Courtney Lee added 14.
The Knicks (19-23) head home to host Anthony Davis and the New Orleans Pelicans on Sunday night (Monday morning Philippine time) while the Wolves will host Damian Lillard and the Portland Trail Blazers on the same night.
BRIGHT SIDE
Meanwhile, in an exclusive interview with PhilBoxing and Sunstar Superbalita - Cebu the Minnesota Timberwolves Courtside and in-arena Public Announcer (PA) Shawn Parker said that he's thankful to God for having his voice.
"To be honest with you I'm so blessed that God gave it to me, my father had a good voice and he's a good speaker. I preferred to drink Hot Tea, Honey, Lemon and water to maintain my voice" said Parker.
"And if there's scheduled game for the Minnesota Timberwolves I sleep not less 8 hours and avoid stress in order to have a healthy voice" Parker added who is a Washington D.C. native and certified by the US National Association of Sports Public Announcers (US - NASPAA).
Photo: Timberwolves fans celebrate after their home team defeats New York at the Target Center in Minneapolis Saturday.
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