casper
12-23-2009, 09:28 AM
HAWKS CRUISE PAST LOWLY TIMBERWOLVES
THE SPORTS NETWORK
Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Jamal Crawford had a game-high 26 points, as the Atlanta Hawks took a 112-87 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Joe Johnson added 21 points, while Al Horford had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks, who rebounded from an overtime loss to Chicago on Saturday to win for the seventh time in eight games.
Mike Bibby had 18 points and six assists to help Atlanta take its seventh consecutive victory against Minnesota.
"Being unselfish on the floor, we understand that anybody's capable of scoring," the Hawks' Josh Smith said. "Especially our starting five. We've been together for about three or four years now. That just gives us a good feel for what each other likes to do."
Kevin Love hauled down 19 rebounds and scored 15 points to pace the Timberwolves, who have lost two in a row. Al Jefferson had a team-high 17 points to go with 10 boards, while Jonny Flynn scored 16 in the setback.
"We [didn't] actually execute the game plan," Love said. "That's always detrimental to the team. Most of the time when that happens, you're not going to win unless the other team plays poor as well. They just didn't do that."
Atlanta jumped out to a 10-2 lead and held several double-digit advantages in the first quarter before taking a 26-17 lead into the second.
Crawford opened the new quarter with a three and Bibby followed with a jumper to make it a 14-point game. The Timberwolves were within single digits a few times later in the half, including when a Jefferson turnaround jumper cut the deficit to 43-36 with 2:51 to play.
But Johnson and Zaza Pachulia countered with back-to-back baskets, and Atlanta took a 54-41 lead at the break.
The Hawks led by double digits throughout the third until Jefferson went 1- for-2 at the line to get Minnesota within 72-63 with 3:37 left. It was still a nine-point game after two Love foul shots in the final minute, but Crawford capped the quarter with a three to put the Hawks up 81-69.
Atlanta shot 9-of-18 in the final quarter to cruise to the finish.
Game Notes
Minnesota's last win in the series came on April 9, 2006...Corey Brewer had 15 points for the Timberwolves, who also got 10 points from Ryan Hollins...Smith and Marvin Williams each scored 10 for the Hawks, who made 9- of-20 from three-point range...Minnesota had 23 turnovers.
THE SPORTS NETWORK
Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Jamal Crawford had a game-high 26 points, as the Atlanta Hawks took a 112-87 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center.
Joe Johnson added 21 points, while Al Horford had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Hawks, who rebounded from an overtime loss to Chicago on Saturday to win for the seventh time in eight games.
Mike Bibby had 18 points and six assists to help Atlanta take its seventh consecutive victory against Minnesota.
"Being unselfish on the floor, we understand that anybody's capable of scoring," the Hawks' Josh Smith said. "Especially our starting five. We've been together for about three or four years now. That just gives us a good feel for what each other likes to do."
Kevin Love hauled down 19 rebounds and scored 15 points to pace the Timberwolves, who have lost two in a row. Al Jefferson had a team-high 17 points to go with 10 boards, while Jonny Flynn scored 16 in the setback.
"We [didn't] actually execute the game plan," Love said. "That's always detrimental to the team. Most of the time when that happens, you're not going to win unless the other team plays poor as well. They just didn't do that."
Atlanta jumped out to a 10-2 lead and held several double-digit advantages in the first quarter before taking a 26-17 lead into the second.
Crawford opened the new quarter with a three and Bibby followed with a jumper to make it a 14-point game. The Timberwolves were within single digits a few times later in the half, including when a Jefferson turnaround jumper cut the deficit to 43-36 with 2:51 to play.
But Johnson and Zaza Pachulia countered with back-to-back baskets, and Atlanta took a 54-41 lead at the break.
The Hawks led by double digits throughout the third until Jefferson went 1- for-2 at the line to get Minnesota within 72-63 with 3:37 left. It was still a nine-point game after two Love foul shots in the final minute, but Crawford capped the quarter with a three to put the Hawks up 81-69.
Atlanta shot 9-of-18 in the final quarter to cruise to the finish.
Game Notes
Minnesota's last win in the series came on April 9, 2006...Corey Brewer had 15 points for the Timberwolves, who also got 10 points from Ryan Hollins...Smith and Marvin Williams each scored 10 for the Hawks, who made 9- of-20 from three-point range...Minnesota had 23 turnovers.