Wolves record: 7-25
Having just won consecutive games for the first time this season, Minnesota (7-25) is back to the well-worn loss column despite a ninth-straight double-double from second-year player Kevin Love.
He had 18 points and 12 rebounds and was in double-double territory just 5 1/2 minutes into the third quarter.
Love, shooting almost 53 percent in the last six games before the trip to San Antonio, had been helping the Wolves right their season somewhat. After opening the season 1-15, Minnesota is 6-10 and is .500 in the last eight games.
Jefferson led Minnesota with 20 points. Jonny Flynn added 17 and Corey Brewer had 14.
Al Jefferson chipped in 20 points and seven boards as the Wolves enjoyed a 38-36 advantage in points in the paint. But the Spurs, not known for an up-tempo game, enjoyed a 29-19 edge in fast-break points and led by as many as 24 before the Wolves (7-25) chipped away in garbage time.
“You can’t make mistakes; you can’t give up fast-break points and the three-point shot,” Jefferson said. “A lot of people say the Spurs aren’t a running team, but they ran a lot tonight on us.
The Spurs ended the Wolves’ two-game winning “streak” by building leads of 16 points by halftime, 19 by late in the third quarter and 24 by the time fewer than seven minutes remained in the game. The Spurs tied a season high by scoring 66 first-half points.
“Did he really?” Wolves forward Kevin Love asked when told Ginobili was one rebound shy of a triple-double. “Quiet. But I guess he’s just a great player. He’s one of those guys who can be quiet and still do that.”
The Timberwolves haven’t won in San Antonio since Jan. 14, 2004. … The Spurs have won 17 of their last 19 games against the Wolves. … Love collided with Spurs C DeJuan Blair in the second half and went down hard. He writhed on the floor for several moments as teammates crowded around. Then he rose to his feet, clutching his hip, and returned to action.
