A New Era: All Eyes On The Rise

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[Game Links: Timberwolves Boxscore | Spurs Boxscore | Team Comparison | Highlights]
Spurs survive scare from Timberwolves
By: Timberwolves.com
Posted December 6, 2014

HOT: Tim Duncan. Even at 38 years old, Timmy D is showing why he' still one of the best big men in the league. Duncan finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds in 34 minutes against the Timberwolves. Duncan showed off his impressive post game going 9-of-14 from the floor and schooling Minnesota's young power forward's on more then one occasion in the narrow win for the Spurs.

NOT: Shabazz Muhammad. With Minny needing as many points as hey could get, they couldn't rely on Muhammad who had an off game. Muhammad needed 12 shots just to score his 10 points. The 2nd year forward was a -15 during his 30 minutes on the court for the Timberwolves. With an injury riddled team like the T-Wolves, you can't have nights when one of your better scorers don't show up.

Quotable: "Yeah I'm not out there trying to prove anything, just playing my game the way I know I can play it." Spurs PF Tim Duncan

X-Factor: Tony Parker. Parker tied Duncan with a game high 22 points and also had 5 rebounds, 5 assist, and 3 steals in the victory. Parker had a off game shooting the ball (8-of-17), but he made up for it in other areas of the game. Especially with his game high three steals. Even though his numbers are down across the board this season, a game like this is why Parker is one of the most underrated point guards in the NBA.

Rookie Watch: Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins finished the night with 18 points on 5-of-10 shooting. The number one overall pick also pulled down6 rebounds to go along with 4 assist and 2 steals in 36 minutes.

On Tap: Golden State Warriors (12-7)



Top Performers --

9-10 (30|28|9|28|95)

Kevin Martin: 19 Points - 2 Rebounds - 2 Assist - 5/9 FG - 3/3 3PT
Andrew Wiggins: 18 Points - 6 Rebounds - 4 Assist - 6/10 FG - 7/8 FT
Thad Young: 12 Points - 8 Rebounds - 3 Steals - 5/7 FG
Shabazz Muhammad: 10 Points - 6 Rebounds - 5/12 FG


15-5 (22|24|20|31|97)

Tim Duncan: 22 Points - 14 Rebounds - 9/14 FG - 4/6 FT
Tony Parker: 22 Points - 5 Rebounds - 5 Assist - 8/17 FG
Marco Belinelli: 11 Points - 2 Rebounds - 3/12 FG - 3/5 PT
Manu Ginobili: 11 Points - 2 Rebounds - 2/5 FG - 5/6 FT

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[Game Links: Warriors Boxscore | Timberwolves Boxscore | Team Comparison | Highlights]
Warriors thwart Timberwolves late comeback attempt
By: Timberwolves.com
Posted December 8, 2014

HOT: Klay Thompson. With one half of the Splash Brother struggling, Klay Thompson stepped up and carrier the scoring load for the Warriors against the Wolves. Thomson went 12-of-23 from the field to score a game high 29 points while pulling down 6 rebounds in the process. Minnesota had no answers for Thompson's sweet shooting stroke especially down the stretch as he scored 8 straight points for the Warriors.

NOT: Andrew Wiggins. After getting off a hot start to the season, it looks like Wiggins as cooled down a little. Wiggins finished with just 8 points in 28 minutes. The former Jayhawk went 2-of-7 from the field and finished with 6 rebounds and 5 assist. The Warriors threw a lot different defensive looks at the rookie as he was matched up with defense from Andre Iguodala, Klay Thomapson, and Draymond Green ll game long.

Quotable: "Best two way guard in the league, and you can print that." Warriors PF Draymond Green

X-Factor: Andrew Bogut. Bogut protected the paint like he always does as the Timberwolves only had 22 points in the paint the entire game. The former 1st overall pick also had a pretty nice game on the offensive end of the floor. Bigut finished the night with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assist, 4 steals, and 2 blocks in 28 minutes of action.

Rookie Watch: Glenn Robinson III. The T-Wolve's 2nd round pick played 7 minutes and finished with 6 points and a rebound while shooting a perfect 3-of-3 from the floor in limited action.

On Tap: Portland Trail Bazers (12-9)



Top Performers --

13-7 (28|20|20|21|89)

Klay Thompson: 29 Points - 6 Rebounds - 2 Steals - 12/23 FG - 3/8 3PT
Andrew Bogut: 13 Points - 8 Rebounds - 4 Steals - 2 Blocks - 6/7 FG
Stephen Curry: 13 Points - 6 Rebounds - 5 Assist - 5/18 FG - 1/5 3PT
Shaun Livingston: 10 Points - 2 Assist - 3/4 FG - 4/4 FT


9-11 (9|13|31|35|88)

Thad Young: 20 Points - 5 Rebounds - 5/12 FG - 9/14 FT
Shabazz Muhammad: 19 Points - 3 Rebounds - 2 Blocks - 4/8 FG
Mo Wiliams: 12 Points - 6 Assist - 8 Turnovers - 4/8 FG - 2/4 3PT
Kevin Martin: 13 Points - 2 Rebounds - 4 Assist - 3/7 FG

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[Game Links: Blazers Boxscore | Timberwolves Boxscore | Team Comparison | Highlights]
Minnesota overcomes 26 point deficit to defeat Portland 114-112
By: Timberwolves.com
Posted December 10, 2014

HOT: Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins bounced back in a big way after a sub-par outing against the Warriors. Wiggins was a part of the catalyst that helped the T-Wolves mount a 20+ point comeback to end their three game losing streak. In 32 minutes, Wiggins scored 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field and pulled down 6 rebounds and dished out 3 assist in the process. Looks like the 19 year old is making a strong case for rookie of the year.

NOT: Trail Blazers. No way a team with NBA championship hopes should give up a 26 point lead to a team that's missing it's starting point guard, starting small forward, and backup shooting guard. The Blazers were outscored 81-55 in the 2nd half and halftime.

Quotable: "I'm so proud of those guys in the locker room. They fought until the end and it paid off for them." Timberwolves coach Flip Saunders

X-Factor: Anthony Bennett. Down big, coach Saunders went to a small ball lineup with Anthony Bennett at the center position. And that little experiment paid off. Last year's first overall pick finished the night with a career high 22 points on 9-of-12 shooting from the floor. The Blazers failed to make an adjustment as Bennett took Robin Lopez and Chris Kaman off the dribble for layup after layup after layup. Another bad move on the Blazers part.

Rookie Watch: Glenn Robinson III. GRIII played 6 minutes and totaled 5 points, 3 rebounds, and a assist on 2-of-2 shooting from the floor.

On Tap: Oklahoma City Thunder (15-6)



Top Performers --

12-10 (30|27|21|24|10|112)

Damian Lillard: 30 Points - 2 Rebounds - 12 Assist - 12/28 FG - 5/11 3PT
Wes Matthews: 26 Points - 4 Rebounds - 9/19 FG - 5/13 3PT
LaMarcus Aldridge: 18 Points - 4 Rebounds - 3 Assist - 9/15 FG
Chris Kaman: 14 Points - 9 Rebounds - 6/12 FG


10-11 (8|25|35|34|12|114)

Andrew Wiggins: 23 Points - 6 Rebounds - 3 Assist - 8/17 FG - 3/6 3PT
Anthony Bennett: 22 Points - 4 Rebounds - 9/12 FG - 3/5 FT
Mo Wiliams: 19 Points - 4 Rebounds - 5 Assist - 6/9 FG - 3/4 3PT
Thad Young: 10 Points - 10 Rebounds - 4/7 FG - 2/4 3PT

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[Game Links: Thunder Boxscore | Timberwolves Boxscore | Team Comparison | Highlights]
T-Wolves spoil Durant's debut
By: Timberwolves.com
Posted December 12, 2014

HOT: Zach LaVine. After missing the past week with a strained achillies, rookie point guard Zach LaVine looked like he didn't miss a beat against the Oklahoma City Thunder. In 29 minutes, LaVine finished with 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 10 assist with only 2 turnovers. The lanky point guard shot 7-of-12 from the field including 2-of-3 from three and the charity stripe. He also made life hard for Russell Westbrook, who had an sub-par night shooting the ball.

NOT: Kevin Durant. Yes KD scored a game high 30 points, but instead of trying to ease his way back after his foot injury, he wanted to be "the man" again instead of taking a backseat to Westbrook who has been putting up MVP number in his absence. Durant shot 11-of-23 from the field in 37 minutes. He also hoisted up 12 three point attempts, which shows he doesn't trust his driving ability just yet.

Quotable: "Felt great to get back out there but the points don;t mean nothing if we didn't get the W." Thunder SF Kevin Durant

X-Factor: Anthony Bennett. Bennett had another nice showing off the bench for the Timberwolves. Bennett finished 7-of-12 for 18 points in 18 minutes off the pine. He also contributed 7 rebounds with a steal and a assist. If he keeps this play up he could end up stealing minutes away from starting power forward Thad Young.

Rookie Watch: Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins totaled 9 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assist while shooting 4-of-9 from the floor in 28 minutes of game action.

On Tap: Los Angeles Lakers (7-16)



Top Performers --

15-8 (34|26|23|20|103)

Kevin Durant: 30 Points - 10 Rebounds - 5 Assist - 11/23 FG - 6/12 3PT
Russell Westbrook: 23 Points - 6 Rebounds - 3 Assist - 9/17 FG - 3/10 3PT
Serge Ibaka: 17 Points - 2 Rebounds - 2 Assist - 8/13 FG
Iman Shumpert: 12 Points - 4 Rebounds - 6 Assist - 6/9 FG


11-11 (23|23|20|39|105)

Anthony Bennett: 18 Points - 7 Rebounds - 7/12 FG - 2/4 3PT
Zach LaVine: 18 Points - 6 Rebounds - 10 Assist - 2 Steals - 7/12 FG
Thad Young: 15 Points - 4 Rebounds - 5/7 FG - 4/7 FT
Kevin Martin: 13 Points - 4 Rebounds - 4/9 FG - 2/4 3PT

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[Game Links: Lakers Boxscore | Timberwolves Boxscore | Team Comparison | Highlights]
Bennett shines as Minnesota tops Los Angeles
By: Timberwolves.com
Posted December 14, 2014

HOT: Anthony Bennett. This 3-game stretch is why the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett with the first pick in the 2013 NBA draft. Bennett came off the bench and dropped a career high in points (32), rebounds (12), and assist (3). The former UNLV Rebel went 11-of-15 from the floor while going 3-of-4 from three point land and 7-of-13 from the charity stripe. Bennett did all this while just playing 25 minutes in the win over the Lakers.

NOT: Jordan Clarkson. When your on the court with scorers like Kobe Bryant and Nick Young, you shouldn't take as many shots as those guys, especially the Black Mamba. But rookie Jordan Clarkson had other plans in mind. Clarkson did score 20 points, but he needed 18 shots just to get it. What's worse was a stretch in the 4th were the rookie took 5 straight iso three pointers and missed all of them badly.

Quotable: "Guys just played selfishly tonight. it's that simple." Lakers SG Kobe Bryant

X-Factor: Zach LaVine. LaVine has continued his impressive rookie campaign. The 6'6 combo guard finished the night with 18 points, 5 reounds, and 6 assist while going 8-of-10 from the field. The one thing that the rookie could've done better was to take care of the ball. LaVine had a game high 10 turnovers in the win.

Rookie Watch: Andrew Wiggins. Wiggins scored 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting and handed out 4 assist in 29 minutes of action.

On Tap: Washington Wizards (11-12)



Top Performers --

7-17 (22|27|24|22|95)

Kobe Bryant: 21 Points - 2 Rebounds - 3 Steals - 9/18 FG
Nick Young: 20 Points - 2 Assist - 8/12 FG - 2/4 3PT
Jordan Clarkson: 20 Points - 3 Rebounds - 4 Assist - 9/18 FG
Xavier Henry: 17 Points - 3 Rebounds - 7 Assist - 4 Steals - 7/15 FG


12-11 (29|33|19|28|109)

Anthony Bennett: 32 Points - 12 Rebounds - 11/15 FG - 3/4 3PT - 7/13 FT
Zach LaVine: 18 Points - 5 Rebounds - 6 Assist - 10 Turnovers - 8/10 FG
Andrew Wiggins: 18 Points - 4 Rebounds - 7/10 FG - 2/2 3PT
Kevin Martin: 10 Points - 2 Rebounds - 3/5 FG - 2/4 3PT

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