Derrick Williams didn't have the most memorable NBA All-Star Weekend as he struggled a bit during his foray in both the Slam Dunk Contest and the Rising Stars Challenge game. The Minnesota Timberwolves rookie was much better when the regular season resumed on Tuesday night, however, leading his team to a 109-97 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on the road.
It didn't look good for the away team when Kevin Love had to go to the bench with an apparent rib injury, but Williams and fellow non-starter Michael Beasley came off the bench to score 27 points apiece to help make up for Love's absence. The 74 total bench points from the Wolves was the most in the NBA this season.
The Clippers were led by 30 points from Blake Griffin, though the former Rookie of the Year scored just one point in the final quarter. Chris Paul had 27 points and six assists, but the Wolves were able to hold the majority of the other Los Angeles lobbers in check.
The Wolves have now won five of their last six games and, if it wasn't for the excruciating loss to the Denver Nuggets, they'd be on a six-game winning streak. Whoa.
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