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.