Timberwolves came back strong in the second half to beat 125–113 the Hawks
After two straight losses at home, the Minnesota Timberwolves needed a good second half to come back in the game and finally win 125–113 and hand Atlanta Hawks their ninth loss in the last ten games. Karl Anthony Towns had 28 points (8/19 FG, 3/8 3s, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 blocks) and Andrew Wiggins with 25 points (9/19 FG, 3–6 3s, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals) were the primary scorers for Minnesota on Monday night.
“Gorgui was amazing. … When he’s given the opportunity, he goes out and makes magic happen,” said Karl-Anthony Towns about Gorgui Deng who had 13 points in the game. “Jeff (Teague) is just a pro. He’s an amazing guy to have in the locker room. We’re in this to win. We’re not about individual accolades,” Towns added.
Jeff Teague came off the bench and gave eight points and eight assists, — Teague and coach Sanders have discussed and agreed that he should come off the bench — that is his new role and he is ok with it according to coach Sanders: “Jeff Teague is a professional and he’s a man. It came about with him and I having a casual conversation. He said, `I’m good with whatever role you want me in.’ He saw and agreed that there was a need in that second unit.”
The Hawks couldn’t get enough boost from the bench and that along with 18 turnovers cost them another game. Trae Young keeps putting up big numbers, as tonight he finished with 37 points (11–28 FG, 5/11 3s, 6 rebounds and 9 assists). Jabari Parker had 22 points (9/16 FG, 1/4 3s, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals) for the Hawks.
“We had a lot of undisciplined play,” said Hawks coach Lloyd Pierce. “We were leaving strong-side shooters (open), we were double-teaming in the post when we weren’t in that coverage. It was the lack of discipline on a lot of our defensive possessions that got us in trouble . . .
“Blitzing KAT in the second half wasn’t the plan and because there were some cross matches, guys just overacted to the situation and we got caught with him hitting the cutter a couple times . . . At this stage, every game has a different personality.”
NEXT GAMES:
TIMBERWOLVES: Play at San Antonio Wednesday.
HAWKS: Play at Milwaukee Wednesday.