Scrappy Timberwolves Take Advantage of Depleted Spurs Team

Mar 12, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio (9) dribbles around the three point line in the first half against the San Antonio Spurs at Target Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Win number 50 will have to wait for another night as the Minnesota Timberwolves and Ricky Rubio simply man-handled the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night in Minnesota.  We brought it to you earlier tonight that Tim Duncan and Kawhi Leonard did not travel with the team to Minnesota.

The game started off great for San Antonio.  Danny Green, who loves playing in Minnesota, nailed a couple of three pointers early.  The Spurs saw their lead at one point balloon to 10, but then Ricky Rubio and the second quarter happened.

Rubio had himself a game to remember.  He recorded his first triple-double of his career.  He controlled the game very well for the Timberwolves and his teammates responded with his leadership.  San Antonio did have some open looks, the ball just would not go down for them.  On the other side of the ball, everything and anything that Minnesota tossed up, went down.  In the second quarter, San Antonio managed to put up just 10 points in the quarter and saw the Timberwolves with a 53 to 38 halftime lead.  From that point, we couldn’t bounce back.

In watching games against the Timberwolves in the passed, I have never seen them throw as many lobs as they did on Tuesday night.

The absence of Duncan and Leonard was apparent.  Leonard we would of possibly seen guarding Rubio and some time during the game and Duncan would be in the middle as he always is attesting and blocking anything that comes his way.

San Antonio did hold themselves well and continued to play hard till the final buzzer.  You can’t beat a team that shoots nearly 55% from the floor and you on the other hand, 35%.  The three ball which is usually the calling call of San Antonio was not so against Minnesota.  As a team the Spurs were 9-of28 from beyond the arc while the Timberwolves, 12-of-20.

Turnovers were also an issue.  We could not take care of the ball at all.  17 turnovers will not help your case in trying to win a basketball game.  It was a rough one to watch mind you.  I am sure many of Spurs fans are with me on that.

The Spurs were led by Corey Joseph who finished with a team high 15.  Timberwolves were led by Rickey Rubio who finished with 21 points.  Minnesota of course should be happy with this win, no excuses coming from us here in San Antonio.  We got beat and pretty bad.

Next time we do see Minnesota it definitely will be a different outcome.

Enjoy this win………for now.

Box Score