Saturday, February 12, 2011
Posted: 10:23 p.m.Updated: Feb. 13, 12:05 a.m.
By Dei Lynam
CSNPhilly.com
BOX SCORE
MINNEAPOLISPlaying the 13-40 Minnesota Timberwolves isn't quite the same as playing the 44-8 San Antonio Spurs, but a day after knocking off the NBAs best team the Sixers had to muster up the right amount of energy to beat Minnesota.
Doug Collins said before the game that many times this season he had seen the resiliency in his players when they would bounce back after a tough loss. He was hopeful they would show the same characteristic after their biggest win of the season.
Despite looking worn out, the Sixers managed to beat Minnesota, 107-87. They improved to 26-28 on the season.
I used an Abe Lincoln line before the game, said Collins. Lincoln's birthday was Saturday.
NBA
He always said you dont judge a man in adversity, everyone is humble then. You judge him when you give him power. We are coming in here and we have had some success. We know we bounce back when we have had our hearts broken so lets see how we do this. I was very pleased with the way guys played tonight.
The Sixers are 9-3 in their last 12 games and for a 15th time this season they committed less than 10 turnovers (nine). They are 12-3 in those games.
I was definitely confident that we could find a way to win but I didnt think we would win by 20, Elton Brand said. I am glad we did and I am glad we came out very professional because it shows our growth. They have been playing well, had won two of three and were winning last night going into the fourth quarter so they are playing well.
Giving up 32 first-quarter points wasnt quite what Collins had in mind but a 20-3 run in the second quarter lifted the Sixers to an 11-point lead at 54-43, their biggest of the first half.
We made sure we locked down defensively after the first quarter, Thaddeus Young said. We did a great job of picking and choosing and knowing when to take advantage of the game.
Unfortunately, the Sixers did not close out the first half well. They missed their final five shots and turned it over once while Minnesota scored seven unanswered points.
All-Star Kevin Love came into the game with 39 consecutive double-doubles. He needed just two and half quarters to get number 40, which is a franchise record. Kevin Garnett held the previous record with 37 consecutive double-doubles. Love had 16 points and 13 rebounds and for only the fourth time this season he had zero assists.
Loves 40 straight double-doubles is the most since Moses Malone had 44 in a row during the 1982-83 season playing for the Sixers.
Thaddeus Young did an excellent job defensively on Love in the second quarter, holding him to just two points.
At the offensive end, Young had struggled during his last two games when he scored in single digits and shot a combined 5-for-18. He was better against Timberwolves. He was 9-for-13 from the floor for 18 points and he was a plus-26. Evan Turner was almost as strong at plus-20.
With Thad, his speed is such a factor, Collins said. Sometimes when he gets out of kilter is when he goes too fast and he rushes his shot. But when he just takes his time and slashes and cuts you dont even have to run a play for himget out on the break, run, slash, cut, get to the open areas. Hes so quick finishing.
The Sixers spread the wealth in the first half with six guys scoring six points or more. By the game's end, seven players scored in double figures and Evan Turner scored nine.
We definitely have strength in numbers, said Brand, who scored 12 points. We have numerous guys come off the bench who can score, and our starters, Jrue Holiday, Andre Iguodala, myself and we still have Nocioni and Mo Speights, who didnt play a lot and those guys can score. It takes a load off knowing you dont have to score big every night.
And then there were two
The Sixers have two games remaining before the All-Star break. They will play at Memphis Tuesday and in Houston on Wednesday. It is inconceivable that a team that started 3-13 could be .500 at the break and yet the Sixers are two wins away.
The whole team goal is to get as many wins as possible, Young suggested. I think we are doing a great job so far just going out there and paying attention to detail. We have a lot of guys that are kind of banged up so we throw a lot of bodies out there and make sure were tough to play.
E-mail Dei Lynam at dlynam@comcastsportsnet.com