Kevin Love Extends Record, Minnesota Timberwoles Stun L.A. Clippers
It looked like the Los Angeles Clippers had it all wrapped up.
The only time they were down to the T'Wolves before the fourth quarter was when it was 2-0 with 11 minutes left in the first.
But after an 0-10 start from Ricky Rubio and with help from a very unlikely source, the Minnesota Timberwolves were able to come away with a buzzer-beating victory in upsetting fashion.
Kevin Love scored 17 points and grabbed 14 rebounds, marking his 15th straight double-double (extending his record for most double-doubles to open a season in NBA history), and knocked down the game-winning three-pointer to give his T'Wolves a 101-98 road victory over the "Lob Angeles" Clippers Friday night.
Darko Milicic added a team-high 22 points (10-of-15 FG) and seven rebounds, and Minnesota got its seventh win of the season by defeating the Western Conference powerhouse Clippers.
One of the leading candidates for Rookie of the Year, Ricky Rubio got off to a cold start, getting into early foul trouble and shooting 0-of-10 from the field through most of the fourth quarter.
But the old adage "shooters keep shooting" applied, and Rubio knocked down his first field goal with 20 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to tie up the game at 98.
On the ensuing possession, Chauncey Billups would have his layup slightly deflected by the rookie, and Love would grab the board, leading to the inbound play that would get the Olympic basketball finalist an open look at a game-winning shot.
Of course, he nailed it.
The Clippers knocked down 11-of-21 threes, many of which were attributed to Chauncey Billups and Mo Williams, who combined for 45 points.
Yet it was the T'Wolves who outscored the opposition 29-19 in the fourth quarter, which ultimately dealt the Clippers their fifth loss of the season.
Rubio finished with nine points, six assists, six rebounds and three steals.
The T'Wolves (7-8) have won their third straight and look to grab their fourth against the Utah Jazz on Saturday. If they can continue to get production out of Milicic, Love and Rubio, they possibly could sneak into the playoffs.
The Clippers (8-5) have a date with the Toronto Raptors before facing off against their intra-city rival, Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, on Wednesday, Jan. 25th.
The last time the two teams met, the Mamba dropped 42 on the Clippers. And if Chris Paul isn't finished nursing that hamstring injury, it could be a long night for Lob City.
