[外電] No break after All-Star Game
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/basketball/16710205.htm
The previously inconsistent Timberwolves won three of their past four games
and actually have some momentum heading into this weekend's all-star break.
And they play five of the next seven games at home, where they are 16-9.
Time will tell whether that inconsistency returns to trip them up. For now,
they have an edge with their schedule. After Tuesday's game at Washington
opens the stretch run of the season, a five-game homestand gives the Wolves
an opportunity to prove just how much they've improved.
The Charlotte Bobcats are the only weakling of the five guests. The other
four visitors are division leaders: Phoenix, Washington, Dallas and Utah.
The Wolves extended their winning streak at home to three games on Wednesday
night with a 99-94 victory over the Denver Nuggets, who are in second place
in the Northwest Division.
It was a victory that was as important for what it wasn't (a loss) as for
what it was following a narrow escape against the Boston Celtics on Sunday.
"We had players that didn't have the best of games but hung in there," coach
Randy Wittman said. "If we can continue doing that, staying in games even
though it's not going your way, the tide is going to turn."
Said point guard Randy Foye: "We didn't want to lose to the Celtics because
they lost 17 games in a row. The Nuggets were in front of us. We had to get a
game closer before the all-star break, then go to Washington before we're
home for four or five games."
The Wolves have 30 games remaining in the regular season, with 16 at home. To
make the playoffs for the first time since 2003-04, they must continue to
play well at home against opponents immediately in front of them in the
standings.
The Wolves (25-27 overall) are 9-5 at home against teams over .500.
Maybe they can draw strength from their 121-112 upset over Phoenix on Jan. 29
at home, which ranks as their biggest win of the season. Minnesota hasn't
played Washington this season but owns a winning record (10-8) against
Eastern Conference teams.
Dallas, the Wolves' Feb. 27 opponent at home, has the NBA's best record. But
the Wolves played well Feb. 3 on the road against the Mavericks, losing by
one point.
Utah marks the end of the homestand on March 2, one of two remaining meetings
with the Northwest Division leader. If the Wolves are going to make a push at
the division title, defeating Utah must factor into those plans.
After that Utah game, observers will know more about Wittman's team and its
focus. Foye believes the players already showed toughness when Denver took
double-digit leads in the first and third quarters Wednesday night.
"We came out and at the beginning they jumped on us a little bit, and we let
Nene get going, but we just stayed with it," Foye said. "When I look at this
team, I see that we're growing, because earlier in the season if that
would've happened the team would've probably blown us out. But when the shots
aren't falling, guys are doing other little things to help us win, and that
was big for us."
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