Kevin Love's Double-Double Streak Snapped As Wolves Lose To Warriors

The Minnesota Timberwolves weren’t able to win three consecutive games for the first time all season as they fell 100-77 to the Golden State Warriors on Sunday night. Since the Wolves are out of the playoffs, however, the fact that Kevin Love had his 53-game double-double streak snapped is probably more more significant.

Love made just one of his shot attempts on his way to six points, 12 rebounds and five assists, but in his post-game comments, he seemed almost relieved that the streak was over.

“Now I can start focusing on just playing my game. I was still doing it for myself, but a lot of it was for the fans and everybody that wanted to watch me get those double-doubles,” Love told NBA.com. “I feel a big weight off my shoulders. I’m pretty happy with what I did. I don’t think we should look at it as, ‘The streak came to an end.’ For me, it’s a time to reflect on what I did well.”

The biggest problem for the Wolves is that the team turned the ball over 27 times which resulted in 33 points for the Warriors — the same amount of points that Minnesota scored in the entire second half.

Michael Beasley and Martell Webster both scored 16 points while Luke Ridnour added an additional 13 despite the fact that those points came with five turnovers for the Wolves’ starting guard.

For Golden State, Stephen Curry had 24 points, Monta Ellis and Dorell Wright had 16 apiece Lou Amundson rounded out the Warriors double-digit scorers with 11 points off of the bench.

The Wolves next play on Wednesday against the Utah Jazz.

Wolves Look To String Together Three Consecutive Wins For First Time This Season

The Minnesota Timberwolves haven’t been able to win more than two games in a row all season — which isn’t good considering that it’s the 67th game of the season — but that could change tonight as they play the Golden State Warriors on the road.

The Wolves (17-50) have won their last two games by at least 20 points after blowing out the Pacers 101-75 in the game that Kevin Love broke the double-double streak before defeating the Utah Jazz 122-101 on Friday night. This led center Darko Milicic to say — jokingly — that the Wolves could win the rest of their games this season by 20 points.

That won’t be an easy goal tonight, however, as Golden State (29-36) was down 21 points in their last game against the Orlando Magic before coming back by hitting a ridiculous 21 three-pointers. Monta Ellis, averaging 25.0 points per game, went a career-best 7-of-9 from beyond the arc to pace the Warriors with 39 points and 11 assists.

It also doesn’t help that the Wolves have struggled recently against the Warriors so far this season. Before the victory over Golden State last month — led by Kevin Love’s 37 points and 23 rebounds — Minnesota had lost five straight to the Warriors by an average of 15.0 points. Love is averaging 23.7 points and 19.6 rebounds against the Warriors this season and will be looking for his 54th consecutive double-double tonight.

Darko Milicic Feels Wolves Could Win The Rest Of Their Games By 20 Points

The Minnesota Timberwolves began just their fourth winning streak of the season on Friday night in their 122-101 victory over the Jazz, but starting center Darko Milicic said after the game that his team could win the rest of its games by 20 points.

“I feel like we’re going to win the rest of our games,” Milicic told Anthony Maggio of Fox Sports North after the victory. “By 20.”

Yes, Milicic said -- almost certainly jokingly -- that he feels like the Wolves will win the rest of their games by 20 points despite so far winning just 17 of their 67 games so far this season.

Don’t worry, he kind of explains himself later in the story.

“You can see guys laughing, sharing the ball, having a lot of fun. It’s no fun losing. Who likes losing? Now we see what it’s like having fun,” Milicic went on to say. “Playing against these guys, Utah, at home, and beating them like this, we showed people we can do it. We just have to come out every night and play like it. We got on the same page on defense, had each others back, sharing the ball. That’s all it takes.”

Even if the 20 point comment was a joke, it's still nice to see that a negative attitude hasn't swept across the Wolves' locker room.

Milicic and the Wolves will have a chance to put that newfound confidence to work on Sunday against the Golden State Warriors.

Wolves Led By Kevin Love In Win Over Al Jefferson & Struggling Jazz

Minnesota Timberwolves fans haven’t had a lot to cheer for this season as Friday night’s victory over the Utah Jazz was just the fourth time the team has won back-to-back games this season, but Kevin Love has been a pretty consistent bright spot regardless of the final score.

Against former Wolves center Al Jefferson and the Jazz, it was no different as Love poured in 24 points to go along with 12 boards while matching up against overmatched rookie Jeremy Evans and the rest of the Utah frontcourt in a 122-101 victory over the Jazz. It was his 53rd double-double in a row.

Michael Beasley added 23 points, Darko Milicic had 14, Wayne Ellington scored 13 and Jonny Flynn contributed 11 off the bench for the Timberwolves who have now won just as many games in the past three days as they did in the past 13 games.

Al Jefferson wasn’t overly impressive in his Target Center return. The former Wolves center made just four of his 13 shot attempts and finished with nine points and nine rebounds as the Jazz were outscored by 25 points while he was on the court.

Al Jefferson Returns To The Target Center Tonight With Jazz Vs Timberwolves

Al Jefferson’s already played back at the Target Center once this season since the Wolves traded him this offseason, but tonight he returns lugging an injury-filled roster that just barely won Wednesday night after Jefferson made a buzzer beater to defeat the Toronto Raptors.

That said, the more important story might be to see if Kevin Love can continue his double-double streak — or if the Wolves can begin a winning streak!

Last night, Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Kevin Love broke Moses Malone’s consecutive double-double streak by scoring 16 points and grabbing 21 rebounds in less than 27 minutes against the Indiana Pacers. Tonight, Love’s Wolves will look to start a new streak at home against the Utah Jazz: Winning.

The Wolves last won consecutive games in early February during a road-trip that included back-to-back victories against the New Orleans Hornets and Houston Rockets to give Minnesota two of their three wins in February. After last night’s win against the Pacers -along with winnable games coming up against the Golden State Warriors and on the road at Utah - it’s plausible that the Wolves could go on a pleasant four-game win streak.

The matchup to watch, as Tim pointed out over at Canis Hoopus, is Love versus recent D-League call-up Jeremy Evans.

Kevin Love vs. Jeremy Evans

Only six days ago, Jeremy Evans was starting for the Utah Flash of the D-League. Now, he’ll be going against the best power forward in the NBA. In his first NBA start – on Wednesday against Toronto – Evans still played only 15 minutes. He went 1-of-4 for 2 points along with 5 rebounds and three personal fouls.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Kevin Love got a double-double in the first half on one leg…that is beyond good. They need a whole new adjective for what Love did on Wednesday night. I haven’t heard that many standing ovations at the Target Center since the last Britney Spears concert.

Winner: Kevin Love

Tonight will also mark the first time Ty Corbin, a former Wolves’ player, will return to Minnesota as head coach. Corbin took over the Jazz last month when Jerry Sloan retired.

Timberwolves Blow Out Pacers As Love Sets Record

Kevin Love got his 52nd consecutive double-double. . .and, in fact, had it well before halftime. . .as the Minnesota Timberwolves thumped the Indiana Pacers at the Target Center tonight by a score of 101-75.

The Timberwolves deserved the victory tonight, but man, did the Pacers play some awful basketball. How awful? Canis Hoopus sums it up pretty well.

Being a Timberwolves fan, I've seen some bad, bad basketball in the past few years - but I haven't seen a team play worse than Indiana did tonight. They were awful, truly awful, in every phase of the game. 29.6% from the floor, 4-23 from behind the arc - they even missed more free throws than did Minnesota. Danny Granger finished the night 2-19 from the floor, 0-9 from three. The Pacers spent the night settling for jumpers instead of trying to get to the rim. They missed about eight layups and at least two dunks. They also threw the ball randomly into the crowd several times.

They played last night at home, but watching their performance, you'd figure they'd played last night in Dubai and flown all day to get to Minneapolis.

Yeah, that sums it up, alright. Keep in mind, Indiana is still firmly in the running for an Eastern Conference playoff berth.

Love got off to a slow start this evening, gathering six rebounds in the first quarter but only scoring one point. He started filling up the basket in the second quarter, though, and notched the double-double with a free throw halfway through the second quarter. The Target Center crowd was on its feet after Love hit the free throw, and Love acknowledged the cheers before missing the second free throw. It was the 27th time in Love's 52-game streak that he managed to accumulate a double-double in the first half.

Michael Beasley matched Love's 16 points on the night to lead the Wolves in scoring. The two Anthonys. . .Randolph and Tolliver. . .each chipped in 14. Love finished with 21 rebounds.

The Wolves continue their homestand on Friday when the Utah Jazz come to town.

Kevin Love Sets New NBA Double-Double Record

With a free throw in the second quarter of the Timberwolves' game this evening against the Indiana Pacers, Wolves forward Kevin Love has set a brand new NBA record for consecutive double-doubles.

With 6:31 remaining in the first half of tonight's game, Love has 10 points and 10 rebounds, which gives him his 52nd consecutive double-double, surpassing Moses Malone's record of 51 that had been set in the 1978-79 season.

Love really started getting warmed up in the second quarter of play. He finished the first quarter with six rebounds, but only one point as the Wolves took a 27-19 lead. The Wolves have opened things up even farther, thanks in part to Love, who has nine points in the second quarter thus far.

With a little less than six minutes left in the second quarter, the Timberwolves lead the Pacers by a score of 42-26.

Congratulations to Kevin Love on this brand new NBA record. . .one that will likely stand for a very long time.

Love Getting Closer To Double-Double

Well, that certainly didn't take long.

After only scoring one point in the game's opening quarter, Kevin Love has started to warm up, and now stands just two points and two rebounds away from his 52nd consecutive double-double.

Love now has eight points and eight rebounds for the Timberwolves, who lead the Pacers 40-24 with 8:25 left in the second quarter of play.

Looks like #42 wants to get rid of all the drama early for this one.

Kevin Love With One Point, Six Rebounds After One Quarter

After some people thought that Timberwolves' forward Kevin Love would miss tonight's game with a knee issue, he made the start for Minnesota after all, and is making somewhat lopsided progress towards his 52nd consecutive double-double.

Love played eight minutes in the first quarter, and has grabbed six rebounds, but thus far only has one point to his credit. He has gone 0-for-3 from the field and 1-for-2 from the line.

The Timberwolves lead the Pacers 27-19 after the first quarter of play. Luke Ridnour has eight points to lead the Timberwolves, and Tyler Hansbrough leads all scorers with 9.

Love With Six Rebounds Half Way Through First Quarter

Kevin Love is off to a pretty good start in one of the two triple-double categories, anyway.

With 5:07 left in the first quarter of tonight's game against the Indiana Pacers, Love already has five rebounds as the Wolves have taken a 14-7 lead over Indiana.

Unfortunately, Love has zero points thus far, having gone 0-for-3 from the field.

Luke Ridnour and Michael Beasley have six points each for the Timberwolves in the early going. Wesley Johnson has the other two points for the Wolves. Tyler Hansbrough has all seven of Indiana's points thus far.

Kevin Love Looks To Make Double-Double History Tonight

Kevin Love is currently tied with NBA legend Moses Malone for the most consecutive double-doubles in the post-merger era of the NBA with 51. He tied that record on Monday night in Minnesota's 108-105 loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

Now, with the Indiana Pacers coming to the Target Center tonight, Love will look to claim the record for himself in front of the hometown crowd.

The Pacers and Timberwolves have met one previous time this season, back on February 11. Love had what's become a typical night for him during this streak, putting in 22 points and pulling down 15 rebounds as the Wolves lost to the Pacers by a score of 116-105.

The Pacers are led in scoring by Danny Granger, who enters tonight's contest averaging 20.7 points per game. Roy Hibbert is their leading rebounder, averaging 7.7 boards per contest. Love, obviously, leads the Timberwolves in both scoring and rebounding, averaging 20.9 points and 15.8 rebounds a night.

Tip-off for this one is scheduled for 7:00 PM Central at the Target Center. You can watch this one on Fox Sports North, or listen to the action on KFAN-AM 1130. Or, you could see if there are any tickets available for tonight's game and, perhaps, be a witness to history.

Wolves Lose To Mavericks On Love's Record-Tying Night

Kevin Love went out this evening and did what he usually does. . .put up double figures in points and rebounds for the Minnesota Timberwolves. And, as is usually the case, it just wasn't enough to put the Timberwolves into the win column.

Love had 23 points and 17 rebounds for the Wolves on the evening, giving him his 51st consecutive double-double, but the Wolves faltered down the stretch and lost a winnable game against the Dallas Mavericks by a score of 108-105.

Things looked good early for the home team, as Minnesota got out to a 30-22 lead after the first quarter of play. Dallas mounted a comeback in the second quarter, but the Wolves still led going into the locker room at halftime by a score of 50-48. Dirk Nowitzki spent much of the first half in foul trouble, and picked up his fourth early in the third quarter. The Wolves took advantage of the big German's absence, and built their lead up to seven going into the final quarter of play.

However, as has been the case on too many occasions this season, the Wolves closed this game like Ricky Vaughn before he got his new eyeglasses. Dallas outscored Minnesota 35-25 in the final frame. . .and if not for Wayne Ellington's half-court shot at the buzzer, it would have been a larger gap. . .and wound up with the three-point loss.

Love's 23 led the Wolves, and Michael Beasley chipped in with 20 points and nine rebounds in a losing effort. Nowitzki was limited to 27 minutes of play, but still managed to score 25 points to lead the Mavericks, who also got 13 points and nine assists from Jason Kidd.

Love will have a chance to break Moses Malone's post-merger NBA record for consecutive double-doubles when the Wolves host the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night at the Target Center.

Love Looks To Tie Moses Malone Tonight Against Mavericks

Kevin Love is on the verge of tying Moses Malone's record for the longest streak of double-doubles since the NBA merger, and can do just that this evening when the Timberwolves host the Dallas Mavericks at the Target Center.

The Mavericks have won 18 out of their last 20. The Timberwolves have won 15. . .since the season started in November. Still, the folks at Canis Hoopus think the Wolves have a pretty good chance in this one, especially in one particular match-up.

Luke Ridnour vs. Jason Kidd

There are few things worse than having a great team without a great point guard. Just think how good the Mavs would be if they had someone like Chris Paul, Devin Harris or Jonny Flynn starting for them at point. Even a guy like Luke Ridnour could turn the Mavs from a decent first-round playoff team to a title contender.

Instead, the Mavericks start Jason Kidd - who is most famous for blowing the NBA Finals for the New Jersey Nets - and J.J. Barea. You're not going to win many titles with those two guys running plays for your team.

Winner: Luke Ridnour

If the folks at Canis Hoopus get any more optimistic, we could start referring to them as "Vikings fans."

Tip-off for this one is at 7:00 PM Central time, and you can see it on TV on Fox Sports North, or listen to it on the radio on KFAN-AM 1130.

Wolves Week: Love Shoots For The Record

The Minnesota Timberwolves don't have a heck of a lot to look forward to these days. Their 15-49 record is still the worst in the Western Conference, and they're coming home from a road trip that saw them drop two out of three. . .which, admittedly, is better than their usual road trip this season, but I digress.

This week, however, one of Minnesota's players has the opportunity to make history, as Kevin Love is one game behind Moses Malone for the most consecutive double-doubles in the post-merger NBA era. Malone had 51 straight double-doubles in the 1978-79 season, and Minnesota's big man currently sits at 50 in a row. (You can see the whole list right here.)

Love's chance to tie the record will come on tonight, as the Wolves play host to the Dallas Mavericks at the Target Center. Dallas is currently residing in second place in the NBA's Southwest Division, sporting a 45-17 record on the season. This will be just the second time this year that the Mavericks and Wolves have gotten together, with Dallas scoring a 100-86 victory over Minnesota in Dallas back on December 1. In that game, Kevin Love put up 12 points and 15 rebounds, in what was just the fourth game of his current streak. Tip-off for this one will be at 7:00 PM Central time at the Target Center, and you can see the game on television on Fox Sports North.

Should love get a double-double against the Mavericks, his chance to break the record will come on Wednesday night when Minnesota welcomes the Indiana Pacers to town. The Pacers are currently in second place in the NBA's Central division with a 27-35 record. (Seriously, can we petition to get the Timberwolves moved to the Eastern Conference?) This is the second and final game of the year between these inter-conference foes, as the Pacers came away with a 116-105 victory in Indianapolis back on February 11. Love had a pretty comfortable double-double that night, putting up 22 points and 15 boards. For a chance to watch history, either make your way to the Target Center, or turn on Fox Sports North when the game starts at 7:00 PM Central time.

Minnesota's next game will be on Friday as the Utah Jazz come calling to the Target Center. The Jazz are in fourth place in the Northwest Division, but their 33-30 record puts them a full 18.5 games ahead of the Timberwolves in the division "race." Kevin Love has averaged 23.5 points and 17 rebounds in Minnesota's two games against the Jazz this year, both of which have resulted in Minnesota losses. . .112-107 at the Target Center on December 22, and 108-100 in Salt Lake City on January 28. This one will start at 7:00 PM Central from Minneapolis, but unless you have NBA League Pass, you won't be watching it on television, as there is no local TV coverage for this game.

The week concludes on Sunday as the Wolves head out to Oakland to take on the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors are in third place in the Pacific Division with a 27-35 record, and have taken two of the three meetings against the Wolves this year. Golden State won on November 27 in Minneapolis by a score of 104-94, and got a 108-99 victory at home on December 14, but the Wolves won a thriller at the Target Center last week when they knocked off the Warriors 126-123. Kevin Love has averaged 23.7 points and 19.7 rebounds a game against the Warriors this year. Later tip-off for this one, with the game getting started at 8:00 PM Central time, and you can see it on television on Fox Sports North.

As always, you can listen to the radio broadcast of every Timberwolves game on KFAN-AM 1130.

There you have your Timberwolves schedule for the upcoming week, ladies and gentlemen. Get out to the Target Center if you can, or cheer the team on from your living room. And be sure to check out SB Nation Minnesota for all the latest news and notes on the Minnesota Timberwolves.