Jon Leuer is starting to find his stride with the Phoenix Suns, as evidenced by this perfectly-executed three-man fast break that culminated in Eric Bledsoe catching a lob midair, before then tossing it up to a streaking Leuer, who finished it off with the emphatic two-hand jam. Leuer had 12 points on 6-of-9 shooting for the Suns. Wolves F Kevin Garnett has the two highest scoring games of his career against the Suns.
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Russell Westbrook added 25 points, 11 rebounds, and 5 assists for the Thunder, who have won nine straight home games against Utah.
Zach LaVine led the Wolves with 28 points and Kevin Martin added 19.
The Timberwolves committed 25 turnovers, including nine in the third quarter, which helped the Suns get out in transition and take control of the game for good.
Percentages: FG.448, FT.833. Three-Point Goals: 10-30, .333 (Knight 7-14, Tucker 1-2, Bledsoe 1-3, Price 1-4, Booker 0-1, Len 0-1, Warren 0-1, Leuer 0-2, Teletovic 0-2).
Knight hit seven of 14 3-pointers and added six assists and four steals for the Suns (11-14). Crabbe has scored in double figures in six straight games and has made a 3-pointer in 15 games in a row. The first half featured 32 fouls, 41 free throws and some sluggish basketball.
Phoenix led 85-66 after three quarters. The Suns might not have to worry so much about tough defense from the Timberwolves, who have allowed at least 109 points in each of their last four games.
The Minnesota Timberwolves can use youth as an explanation for their inconsistency. Garnett’s two highest-scoring games of his distinguished career came against Phoenix during his first tenure with Minnesota: 47 points in January 2005 and 44 in January 2007…. Karl-Anthony Towns was held to eight points, the Star Tribune reports. They’re now 9-14 so far on the season. “The good thing is that he’s not taking bad ones”, Hornacek said.
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The teams were tied at 89-89 when Al-Farouq Aminu made a 3 at the 6:00 mark, Allen Crabbe hit a 2, CJ McCollum sank a 3, Mason Plumlee rolled in a shot off his fingers and Damon Lillard knocked down a 3 with 3:12 left. C Tyson Chandler entered the game in the first quarter, his first action since November 27 after missing time with a hamstring injury. The Mavericks will try to salvage the finale when they host the Phoenix Suns on Monday.
