NBA: Love has 30 to lift 'Wolves past Grizzlies 101-93

MEMPHIS — Kevin Love had 30 points and nine rebounds, the Timberwolves hit a season-high 12 three-pointers and Minnesota beat the Memphis Grizzlies 101-93 Sunday night (Monday, PHL time).

The victory snapped Minnesota's 11-game losing streak to the Grizzlies and also gave the Timberwolves their third win in the last four.

FINAL: The #TWolves defeat the Grizzlies 101-93! Leading MN: @kevinlove w/ 30 & 9, Pek w/ 19 & 5, @jjbareapr w/ 15. Wolves shot 44%.

— MN Timberwolves (@MNTimberwolves) December 16, 2013

Love was 11-of-21 from the field, including 4-of-8 from outside the arc as Minnesota converted 12-of-26 from long range. Minnesota had made 11 three-pointers six times this season, including in Friday night's loss at San Antonio. Nikola Pekovic scored 19 points, while reserve J.J. Barea had 15. Ricky Rubio finished with 12 points.

Mike Conley led the Grizzlies with 28 points before leaving with just under four minutes left with a bruised left thigh. Zach Randolph had 20 points and 12 rebounds. Jon Leuer scored 15 and Jerryd Bayless added 14 as Memphis lost its third straight.

Memphis made several runs at Minnesota in the fourth quarter, cutting the Timberwolves' lead to a single possession. Memphis was within 95-92 with 2:27 left when Randolph scored inside.

But Pekovic converted four straight free throws to create a cushion that led to the victory.

The Timberwolves relied on their three-point shooting, led by Love and Barea, to carry a 56-46 lead into the break. Love had 19 points, connecting on 7-of-12 from the field, including 3-of-5 from outside the arc.

Minnesota took advantage of Love being guarded by Randolph, who had trouble getting to Love at the three-point line. Barea hit all four of his shots in the half, including a trio of three-pointers for 13 points.

With four minutes left in the half, Minnesota was still shooting about 55 percent overall and was 9-of-16 from long range. The Timberwolves hit only two of their final 10 shots in the half, allowing the Grizzlies some hope.

Conley had 13 for Memphis, which trailed by 19 at one point before halftime.

Both teams finished the night shooting about 44 percent.

Conley tried to push the Grizzlies' offense to open the second half, scoring 10 points in a 16-9 rally, cutting Minnesota's lead to 65-62.

Conley ended up with 15 points in the quarter, but Minnesota still clung to a 77-73 lead entering the fourth.

Memphis was within 81-79 with 9:19 to play, when their momentum changed because of a flagrant foul on Ed Davis.

Davis was called for the foul on a fast-break drive by Alexey Shved, and on the shot, Kosta Koufos was called for goal-tending.

Shved hit the ensuing free throw, and when the Timberwolves got the ball, Pekovic was able to convert a pair of free throws and Minnesota had an 86-79 lead. - AP


The scores:

TIMBERWOLVES (101) - Love 30, Pekovic 19, Barea 15, Rubio 12, Brewer 9, Shved 6, Cunningham 4, Hummel 3, Mbah a Moute 3, Martin 0

GRIZZLIES (93) - Conley 28, Randolph 20, Leur 15, Bayless 14, Allen 7, Miller 5, Prince 2, Calathes, Davis 0

Minnesota      28-28-21-24
Memphis        17-29-27-20