Coming off of All-Star break, fans hoped to see a rejuvenated Timberwolves squad hit the floor in Milwaukee. Both teams seemed offensively flat Tuesday night, and Minnesota exited the dreaded fourth quarter on the losing end of a 94-88 final score. Beasley led the team in point with 21.
Only eight players scored in double digits, four from each team. When looking at the postgame books, one wonders how the game ended in the score it did. Milwaukee (22-34) and Minnesota (13-44) shot only 23 and 22 percent, respectively, from behind the three-point line. Neither team could crawl above 38 percent shooting from the field.
The Timberwolves’ lineup had a different look Tuesday night. Rookie Wes Johnson scored 14 points when he started in place of Corey Brewer. Brewer and Kosta Koufos were part of the trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks. Minnesota acquired forward Anthony Randolph, center Eddy Curry and cash considerations from the Knicks and a 2015 second-round pick from Denver in the deal.
Kevin Love grabbed another double-double, bringing him one game closer to breaking Moses Malone’s record for 50 consecutive double-doubles. Beasley returned to the hardwood after suffering a bad ankle sprain a few weeks ago. The explosive guard made his first four shots and finished with 10 for 17.
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On the opposing side of the court, Brandon Jennings tallied 27 points and dished out seven assists. The second-year forward out of Oak Hill Academy high school was one of the Timberwolves’ options last year when they drafted Jonny Flynn. A season and a half later, one wonders if Minnesota regrets the decision.
Milwaukee also saw an impressive performance out of Corey Maggette, who scored 20 points and grabbed six boards in just 26 minutes of play.
The teams seemed evenly matched throughout the first three periods of the basketball game, and Timberwolves fans hoped for a win up until the final seconds. With 41 seconds remaining, Minnesota trailed by only three points.
Luke Ridnour had a chance chance to tie with three from the left corner, but missed as Andrew Bogut contested the shot. Darko Milicic and Beasley missed two more consecutive shots, and the coffin was nailed closed.
The Timberwolves head back home for a three-game stint at home. First up is Memphis, coming to the Target Center for a 7 PM tipoff this evening, and New Orleans will arrive on Friday.
Making the Call 