Minnesota Timberwolves Head Into All-Star Weekend With Momentum

The Minnesota Timberwolves are headed into NBA All-Star weekend with some momentum. Luke Ridnour hit a game-wining buzzer-beater and J.J. Barea came off the bench to score 22 points as the Wolves picked up a 100-98 victory over the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.

Minnesota went on a 14-2 run to pull within two with just over three minutes left in the contest and then were able to do the little things on the way to victory. The Wolves had trouble closing out the Denver Nuggets earlier in the week, but they apparently learned from their mistakes with near-flawless play in the final minute of Wednesday night's game at the Target Center.

Rookie forward Derrick Williams was instrumental down the stretch as he converted on a three-point play with less than a minute remaining to tie the game. Less than 20 seconds later Kevin Love stole the ball from former teammate Al Jefferson, got it ahead to Williams and the rookie calmly stroked two free-throws to give the Wolves a two-point lead with 42.5 seconds left in the contest.

After that it turned into a back and forth affair before Jefferson made a jump shot to tie the game at 98 points apiece with seven seconds left in the contest. The Wolves were determined not to let another game slip away, though, and Ridnour nailed a floater on the other end as the game clock expired to give the Wolves the win.

The Wolves were led on the night with Barea's 22 points off the bench, but it was a solid team effort. Nikola Pekovic returned from last game's injury showing few effects to score 15 points and grab 12 rebounds, Love had a quiet double-double with 10 points and 10 boards and Ridnour finished the night with 17 points to lead all starters.

Jefferson, the former Wolves centerpiece, scored 18 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Jazz while Paul Millsap led all scorers with 25 points.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.

After participating in the Timberwolves pregame shootaround Wednesday night, Nikola Pekovic said he expects to play in the game . Pekovic sprained his ankle on Monday against the Denver Nuggets, but said he is close to 100 percent. Via Jerry Zgoda of The Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Timberwolves shootaround just ended at Target Center and Nikola Pekovic says he intends to play tonight against Utah but won't know definitively until he warms up before the game and tests that ankle he sprained Monday in Denver.

"I feel OK, just a little pain," he said. "I will be fine."

Pekovic has moved into the Timberwolves starting lineup, averaging 12.4 points and seven rebounds in just 24 minutes per game. In his last 10 games, Pekovic has upped his averages to nearly 17 points and 10 rebounds per game.

For more on the Minnesota Timberwolves, check out Canis Hoopus. You can also check out professional basketball news from around the league over at SB Nation's NBA page.