Ryan Gomes led the Timberwolves with 17 points and 10 boards and Al Jefferson added 14. Reserve Rashad McCants scored 13.
Ginobili has made a habit this season of playing well against
Minnesota, which lost the season series to the Spurs 0-4. In the other
three games against the Timberwolves, Ginobili scored 31, 22, and most
recently 44 points — two shy of his season high.
Minnesota, which lost the season series to the Spurs 0-4. In the other
three games against the Timberwolves, Ginobili scored 31, 22, and most
recently 44 points — two shy of his season high.
Wolves record: 18-53
Jerry Zgoda/Star Tribune game recap
After pushing
their lead as high as 20 in the third quarter, on an almost-dunk from
Finley in transition, the Spurs nearly squandered away all of it before
the start of the fourth.
their lead as high as 20 in the third quarter, on an almost-dunk from
Finley in transition, the Spurs nearly squandered away all of it before
the start of the fourth.
Rashad McCants
and Ryan Gomes, who finished with 17 points as one of six Wolves in
double figures, took turns bringing Minnesota back.
and Ryan Gomes, who finished with 17 points as one of six Wolves in
double figures, took turns bringing Minnesota back.
Minnesota
(18-53) was within four early in the fourth quarter. That’s when
Ginobili, mild-mannered for most of the night, emerged from his
imaginary phone booth, wearing his invisible cape.
Ultimately, the Wolves flew home empty after Ginobili scored all but
one of the Spurs’ points in a 14-2 run early in the fourth quarter.
Included in that telling three-minute stretch were three of his five
three-pointers that allowed the Spurs to win their 50th game for the
ninth consecutive season.
one of the Spurs’ points in a 14-2 run early in the fourth quarter.
Included in that telling three-minute stretch were three of his five
three-pointers that allowed the Spurs to win their 50th game for the
ninth consecutive season.
Although the Wolves lost by 15 points, that they
rallied in the third quarter before Ginobili put them away in the
fourth gives optimism.
rallied in the third quarter before Ginobili put them away in the
fourth gives optimism.
"It shows that we’re not giving up right now," Corey
Brewer said. "It’s late in the season, but we’re still trying to win
games."
Brewer said. "It’s late in the season, but we’re still trying to win
games."