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The struggling Timberwolves faded down the stretch in the 103-95 loss to the Trail Blazers on Friday, their fifth loss in the six games after starting the season 3-1.
Kevin Love led the T-Wolves with 24 points and 13 rebounds in his second game back from a broken hand. Nikola Pekovic added 18 points and 10 rebounds while Luke Ridnour chipped in 14 points.
The Trail Blazers were led by their starting backcourt, with Wesley Matthews scoring a game-high 30 points and rookie Damian Lillard scoring a career-high 28 points to go along with eight assists. J.J. Hickson chipped in 14 points and 13 rebounds.
The loss dropped Minnesota to 5-6 and last place in the tough Northwest Division, while the Trail Blazers improved to 6-6 and sit in fourth place, just ahead of the T-Wolves. The division-leading Thunder lost to the Celtics on Friday, 108-100, while the second-place Nuggets defeated the Warriors, 102-91. The third-place Jazz squeaked by the Kings, 104-102.
Elsewhere in the NBA, the Rockets stomped the Knicks, 131-103, and the Grizzlies beat the Lakers, 106-98. The Spurs beat the Pacers, 104-97, and the Nets clipped the Clippers, 86-76.
Check out Friday's full NBA scoreboard here.