National Basketball Association
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Minnesota 97, Sacramento 89
When: 10:00 PM ET, Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Where: Sleep Train Arena, Sacramento, California
Officials: #70 Brent Barnaky, #10 Ron Garretson, #30 John Goble
Attendance: 10741

Timberwolves 97, Kings 89:
Kevin Love busted out of a slump and collected 23 points and 24 rebounds as visiting Minnesota snapped a five-game losing streak.

Love, who missed the first nine games of the season with a broken hand, had recorded a double-double in each of his previous three since returning but was shooting just 40 percent. The All-Star was a little better against Sacramento at 8-for-17 from the field, Luke Ridnour chipped in 18 points and all five starters scored in double figures for the Timberwolves.

DeMarcus Cousins and Tyreke Evans scored 20 points apiece for the Kings, who missed a chance to record back-to-back wins for the second time this season.

Alexey Shved hit consecutive 3-pointers and Love dunked during an 8-2 run early in the fourth quarter that pushed Minnesota’s lead to 83-74. But the Timberwolves made only one field goal over the next 4:13 to let Sacramento creep back into the game.

Cousins’ two free throws with 1:20 left drew the Kings within 91-89 before Nikola Pekovic converted a layup and blocked Cousins’ shot at the other end to change the momentum. Love buried a jumper and Ridnour knocked down two free throws with 12.5 seconds left to put away the game.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Love’s last 20-20 game came against Denver on March 25. He had three such performances last season. … Pekovic scored 16 points and was the next-highest rebounder in the contest with eight. … Sacramento PG Isaiah Thomas, who was bounced out of the starting lineup in favor of Aaron Brooks, scored 12 points off the bench.
Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Sacramento
Kevin Love 23 Scoring DeMarcus Cousins 20
Jose Juan Barea 6 Assists Tyreke Evans 6
Kevin Love 24 Rebounds Tyreke Evans 7
Kevin Love 5 Free Throws Made Isaiah Thomas 4
Dante Cunningham 2 Steals DeMarcus Cousins 2
Andrei Kirilenko 3 Blocks Jason Thompson 3
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Points FG% 3PM-3PA FTM-FTA Assists Rebounds Blocks Steals Turnovers
Minnesota 97 45.8 6-22 15-18 25 51 8 8 17
Sacramento 89 44.0 6-17 9-14 21 36 6 11 14
Upcoming Games
  • Sacramento will play their next game at home against Indiana. The Kings have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game on the road against L.A. Clippers. The Timberwolves have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .000 after a loss.