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 "We got the win," Adelman said. "But, hopefully, we also got a
lesson there."
The Timberwolves, down by 19 after a horrific first quarter, pulled
within 13 at the half and were within three points after three
quarters. In the fourth, down five with just over 10 minutes to
play, a lineup of mostly reserves led the Timberwolves (11-11) on a
10-0 run that gave them the lead for good.
Leading the way was forward Robbie Hummel and center Nikola Pekovic,
who scored 10 and eight points, respectively, in the fourth quarter.
Together they helped lead the Timberwolves' biggest home comeback
since Nov. 12, 2010, when they came back from 21 down to beat New
York. It was Minnesota's second straight victory, its first winning
streak since early November. Philadelphia (7-16) lost for the eighth
time in nine games.
"It was a very tough first half," said Pekovic, who shot 8-for-26 in
a first quarter that the 76ers ended on a 20-3 run to take a 39-20
lead. "We had a little talk in the locker room. And, from the first
moment in the second half, we played better. The second half was a
totally different picture for us."
Both Pekovic (20 points and 10 rebounds) and forward Kevin Love (26
points, 15 rebounds) had double-doubles for the Timberwolves. Guard
Ricky Rubio added 21 points and seven assists.
Philadelphia was led by guard Tony Wroten's 20 points. Swingman
James Anderson and forward Thaddeus Young had 16 each.
"We came out with good intensity, and were sharing the ball and
everybody was playing defense and we kind of got away from that,"
Wroten said of the difference between the two halves. "We let one
slip away from us."
But Minnesota — which shot 38.5 percent for the game and allowed 24
fast-break points to the 76ers — didn't take control until late in
game. The 76ers led by five after guard Hollis Thompson's
three-point play with 10:14 left. But then Pekovic scored on a
put-back and Hummel hit an 11-footer. After a 76ers turnover,
guard J.J. Barea fed Hummel for a 21-foot baseline jumper with
8:27 left to give Minnesota its first lead, 87-86.
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"When you get an opportunity like that, coach is looking for a
spark off the bench," Hummel said. "I'm a shooter. I bring
energy. I do what I can do help the team. Tonight I made some
shots."
Pekovic's 11-footer pushed the lead to three, then forward Dante
Cunningham scored to complete the 10-0 run. Philadelphia got
within two points once after that, but Love and Hummel wouldn't
let them closer.
"I give Minnesota credit, but it's a disappointment," 76ers
coach Brett Brown said. "Their physical style wore us down a
little bit."
As a result, despite a slow start, the Timberwolves won on the
back end of a back-to-back for just the second time this season.
And, perhaps, got a lesson in the bargain.
"We have to learn," Adelman said. "We got a nice win (Tuesday in
Detroit), but that means nothing the next game. If we want to
build anything it has to be night after night. You have to come
out and play."
NOTES: Philadelphia rookie PG Michael Carter-Williams missed his
fourth consecutive game because of soreness and a skin infection
on the front of his right knee. Carter spent three days in the
hospital last week because of the infection. On medication, he
is waiting for the infection to clear before returning to
practice. In all, he missed eight games this season, as he sat
out four others with a sort left foot ... Timberwolves C Ronny
Turiaf, who suffered a right elbow fracture Nov. 1 against the
Oklahoma City Thunder, is healing slower than the team hoped.
Word was the injury would take four to six weeks, but he is
still unable to practice, and he will be sidelined for the near
future. ... Minnesota F Chase Budinger, still sidelined after
offseason knee surgery, could be cleared to practice within two
weeks, coach Rick Adelman said. ... In an effort to get backup
SG Alexei Shved going, Timberwolves coach Rick Adelman is giving
him minutes with the starters, sometimes even early in the first
quarter.
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