The Hawks kept Kevin Love in check – and still got drubbed by the Timberwolves.
The All-Star finished with just 14 points, after scoring 43 earlier this season against the Hawks, and the Timberwolves didn’t need any of them. The Hawks trailed by as many as 28 points en route to an ugly 107-83 loss Wednesday night at the Target Center.
It was the fourth straight loss for the Hawks. With 12 games remaining in the regular season they cling to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The Hawks hold a 2-1/2game lead over the Knicks, who played at the Kings late Wednesday.
The Hawks (31-39, 11-26 road) were led by Mike Scott with 15 points. Paul Millsap had 12 points and DeMarre Carroll added 11 points.
Jeff Teague did not score and played just five minutes in the second half. Rookie Mike Muscala returned to his native Minnesota and finished with a career-high eight points.
The Hawks committed 26turnovers, leading to 32 Timberwolves points. They also made just 7 of 28 3-point attempts.
The Timberwolves (35-35, 20-14 home) snapped a three-game losing streak.
Rookie Gorgui Dieng had a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds. Corey Brewer and Kevin Martin each finished with 18 points. The Timberwolves even played without center Nikola Pekovic (sore right ankle).
“Defensively we are going to be challenged and that is where we’ve got to get better,” coach Mike Budenholzer said before the game.
Well, there is a lot of work still to be done.
The Hawks and Timberwolves split their season series with each team winning at home.
The Timberwolves blew open a close game in the third quarter. After the Hawks pulled to within three points, 48-45, early in the period, the Timberwolves went on 26-12 run to open a 17-point advantage.
The Timberwolves led by as many as 11 points in the second quarter and took a 48-41 advantage into intermission. The first two quarters were a sloppy affair as the teams combined for 22 turnovers, including 10 by the Hawks.
The Timberwolves lost Ricky Rubio for part of the first half after he required 15 stitches to close a laceration of his upper lip.
The Hawks busy week continues Thursday with a home game against the Trail Blazers.
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