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The Jeremy Lin short-lived legend continues to grow, as the Chinese American, undrafted point guard from Harvard has now led the New York Knicks to five straight wins. The Knicks defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday night, 100-98, without the help of Carmelo Anthony and Amare Stoudamire.
In front of the largest crowd for a home Timberwolves game since 2004, Lin scored 20 points (on 8-for-24 shooting), eight assists (six turnovers), and six rebounds, and hit the game-winning free throw with four seconds left.
Steve Novak hit a game-tying three-pointer with 36 seconds remaining to stun Minnesota, who had been leading the Knicks for most of the game.
Kevin Love's 32 points and 21 rebounds were wasted, as was Nikola Pekovic's 21 points and 13 rebounds.
Minnesota plays next on Monday at Orlando.
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Imaginative rookie point guard Ricky Rubio has made quite a splash with his play for the Minnesota Timberwolves this season, but fellow rookie Jeremy Lin has drained the pool with his debut as the starting point guard for the New York Knicks this week.
Lin has started the last three games, all wins for the Knicks if you haven't noticed, averaging 29.7 points per game including a big-time performance last night at Madison Square Garden where Lin finished with 38 points and 7 assists after finishing off Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers 92-85. Lin's 89 points are the most by any player since the NBA/ABA merger in 1976-77 (yes, ANY player).
The Knicks great play fueled by Lin's emergence has made up for the absence of Carmelo Anthony (groin injury) and Amare Stoudemire (bereavement). The Timberwolves should benefit from that lack of fire power for the Knicks in their effort to slow down Lin and earn a much needed win.
After winning three in a row, the Wolves have lost their last two games so they will be more interested in improving their level of play than they will with the opponent visiting the Target Center. Kevin Love and company will need to maintain that focus because between Lin and the New York media there will be plenty of distractions leading up to the opening tip.
For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. For all your news and analysis needs on the NBA, SB Nation's main NBA hub has you covered at SBNation.com/NBA.
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NBA Standings 2012: Lin Has Last Say Against Rubio, Leaving Timberwolves Last In Division
Ricky Rubio acquitted himself quite well against the New York Knicks rock star point guard, Jeremy Lin right up until the win was in the balance in the final minute of the game.
Two late turnovers by Rubio trumped what was a solid defensive effort in the second half which force Lin into an inefficient 20-point game that required 24 shots. Rubio himself hasn't been the model of shooting efficiency of late, making just 20 of his last 60 shots over the last seven games.
The Timberwolves are 3-4 in those last seven games which includes losing the last three in a row which leaves Minnesota at 13-15 on the season and in last place in the Northwest Division. Last place in the division isn't as bad as it sounds since the Wolves are still only two game below .500 and only two games behind Portland for the eighth spot in the Western Conference.
The race for that eighth and final playoff race will be worth watching all season, with the Los Angeles Lakers (currently 7th in the West), Portland, Utah, Memphis, Minnesota and Phoenix all within three games or less of each other.
For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. For all your news and analysis needs on the NBA, SB Nation's main NBA hub has you covered at SBNation.com/NBA.
Feb 12 9:09a by Tom Lewis