The Minnesota Timberwolves had a chance to snap a 13-game losing streak last night in Phoenix at US Airways Center.  However, the result was all to familiar as the Wolves grabbed their 64th loss of the season as well as 14th straight, losing 127-135 in OT.  They haven’t won a game since March 11th vs. the Jazz.  It’s been exactly a month and the Wolves have just one last chance this season Wednesday night versus the Houston Rockets.

The T’Wolves were again without their starting frontcourt: Kevin Love and Darko Milicic, who sat court-side, watching the Wolves play stellar basketball, but unable to get it done.  Sebastian Telfair was inactive for the game.

The Suns were without Vince Carter, who was out with a left hip injury.  Also, Robin Lopez received DNP-CD as did Mickael Pietrus.  

The Timberwolves played quite well and battled back and forth with one of the top offenses in the League.  Clearly, by the score, you can see not a lot of solid defense was played by either team.

The Timberwolves jumped out early and every time the Suns would get close, they’d go on a quick spurt to pad the lead, however by the 4th quarter the Suns offense ignited.  Channing Frye and Jared Dudley lead the 4th quarter charge as the Suns outscored the Wolves 34-27, to tie the game and send it into overtime.  Channing Frye scored 10 of those 34 and Dudley added 6 to fuel the Suns to an OT. 

An 8-0 run put the Suns up for the first time since the first quarter 131-124 with 45 seconds to play.  Minnesota got some big shots and ended up pulling ahead on a Martell Webster three.  The next possession down Nash nailed a straight-away three to put them up two.  Minnesota then had the ball with 8 or 9 seconds to play and a Michael Beasley layup tied the game, he was fouled but missed the free throw to keep the game tied at 121.  On the final possession, the Suns had 0.9 seconds to get a shot off and a Grant Hill jumper hung on the rim for a good 3-4 seconds before rolling off, to send the game into OT.  

In overtime the Suns got a bucket from all 5 of their starters to outscore the Wolves 14-6 in overtime to take the lead and the game.  For the Timberwolves Anthony Tolliver had 1 point in OT and Anthony Randolph had the other 5.

Channing Frye had a big game.  He converted 9-of-14 three-pointers.  Nine made 3’s is a new Phoenix Suns franchise record.  His 33 points was also a career-high, his former being 32.

The Timberwolves got some solid offensive play from a lot of different players.  Michael Beasley led the Wolves with 26 points (16 of which came in the 4th quarter alone) as well as 6 rebounds and 2 assists.  In 33 minutes off the bench Anthony Randolph added 24 points, 10 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals.  Anthony Tolliver started at the 4 again and set a season-high in points with 22 also adding 10 rebounds and 4 assists in 44 minutes.  Luke Ridnour played a game-high 48 minutes and was tantalizingly close to a triple-double with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 9 assists!  Rookie Wesley Johnson added 14 points.

The Suns were led by Channing Frye’s 33 points and 4 rebounds.  Jared Dudley added 26 as well as 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 5 steals.  Grant Hill played 34 minutes, but still had 21 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists.  Marcin Gortat added 17 and grabbed 8 boards.

The Minnesota Timberwolves fall to 17-64 on the season, with just one last chance to snap this, now: 14-game losing streak.  There final game is tomorrow versus the Houston Rockets back at the Target Center.  Tipoff is set for7pmCT and a full-gameday preview can be found on this site before then.  As always, thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!

UPDATE: Darko Milicic and Kevin Love didn’t participate in this afternoon’s shootaround in Phoenix and won’t be playing tonight.  During shootaround they were “rehabbing” as well as doing crunches and push-ups on the sidelines.  (UPDATE: Monday April 11, 2011 4:53p.m.)

The Minnesota Timberwolves are winding down a season of turmoil and after tomorrow night’s stop in Phoenix the Wolves play again on Wednesday: their last game of the season vs. the Rockets.  

The Wolves and Suns last met just a few days ago: April 6th that ended in a 108-98 Wolves loss.  The Timberwolves couldn’t slow down the Suns in the paint, but it was a fairly close game to the end, but the Suns went on a run that helped the Suns escape with the victory.

The Timberwolves are on a 13-game losing streak, that seems unlikely to end this season.  The Suns aren’t moving on to the playoffs this season, but they’ll look to improve on their season nonetheless.

The Wolves will again be without their starting frontcourt: All-Star forward Kevin Love with an ongoing groin injury and center Darko Milicic whose nursing an ankle sprain he suffered in a game vs. the Heat and again vs. the Suns (April 6th).

The starting lineups will feature: WOLVES- PG: Luke Ridnour SG: Wesley Johnson SF: Michael Beasley PF: Anthony Tolliver C: Nikola Pekovic SUNS- PG: Steve Nash SG: Jared Dudley SF: Grant Hill PF: Channing Frye C: Marcin Gortat

The key players for the Timberwolves will be: Michael Beasley-with Kevin Love out Beasley will most likely try to carry the scoring load and he’s got the talents to do so, but the offense will; like most nights; suffer at his hands.  Reserves Martell Webster and Anthony Randolph-both of these guys can come off the bench and dump in 15-20 points in limited time off the pine.

The key players for the Suns will be: Steve Nash-Steve is a great veteran point guard that orchestrates the offense perfectly every night out.  Grant Hill-the last time they played Grant Hill continually burned Michael Beasley on the offensive end.  Channing Frye-Anthony Tolliver will be getting the start to try and slow down the talented Frye, who’s more mobile than most 4-guys.  Marcin Gortat-“the Polish Hammer” killed the Wolves in the paint the last time they met and they get him the ball early and often and I’d expect more of the same, from the big bruiser.

Tipoff is set for 9pmCT from the US Airways Center in Phoenix AZ and a full-gameday recap can be found on this site following the final horn.  Until then, thanks for reading, enjoy the game and GO WOLVES!

UPDATE: Wolves Radio reports via Twitter that Kurt Rambis has decided to start Anthony Tolliver at power forward for tonight’s game.  Citing the fact that they’ll need some mobility to guard Channing Frye (UPDATE: Wed., April 6th, 2011 6:13p.m.)

UPDATE: Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune has said via Twitter that Darko is back.  Darko Milicic will be back tonight versus the Suns at the Target Center and he’s expected to start.  (UPDATE: Wed., April 6th 2011 5:56p.m.)

Tonight the Minnesota Timberwolves come into this game against the Phoenix Suns riding an 11-game losing streak (the longest losing-streak of the season for the Wolves).  There most recent loss coming last night on a 107-105 loss to the New Jersey Nets, so has been the case all season long for the young Wolves, their record sitting at a disappointing 17-61.

They’ll be facing Steve Nash and Co. at the Target Center as they look to snap the streak.  The Phoenix Suns are out of the playoffs, but they’ll be doing anything but rolling over and dying, especially against the Wolves.  

Neither of these teams are known for their defensive prowess, so the Wolves are going to need to match the Suns high-powered, high-octane offense.  

As reported in a previous post, both Darko Milicic and Kevin Love are currently nursing injuries.  Love is listed as doubtful for the game with a groin injury, whereas Darko Milicic is listed as questionable with an ankle sprain.  If they can’t go, I’d expect the Wolves to put out a similar lineup as they have the past two games vs. Memphis and New Jersey: G: Ridnour, Ellington F: Johnson, Beasley C: Pekovic.  The Suns will counter, most likely, with: G: Nash, Hill F: Dudley, Frye C: Gortat.

The Timberwolves will need a big game out of Michael Beasley if they want to compete.  Beasley had an ultra-impressive game against the New Jersey Nets last night, starting at the power forward, scoring 20 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and dishing out 7 assists, almost obtaining that triple-double.  Wesley Johnson also needs to step up and produce for the Wolves as he continues to struggle on the offensive end.  If the Wolves’ bench can continue to produce, they’ll be in good shape to compete, last night against the Nets, Randolph, Webster and Tolliver combined for 50 points off the pine!

The Suns will be lead by their incredibly talented point guard Steve Nash.  They’ll need to slow him down and close down passing lanes to try and stop him, but at times it will seem futile.  Gortat is also a big boost down in the low post.  Against either Milicic or Pekovic, the Wolves’ centers will have their work cut out for them against the “Polish Hammer”!

Tipoff is set for 7pmCT from the Target Center in Minneapolis MN.  A full-gameday recap can be found on this site following the final horn.  Thanks for reading and GO WOLVES!