McHale Earns First Coaching Win as T-Wolves Top Nets
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MINNEAPOLIS – Kevin McHale earned his first coaching victory last night and Michael Olowokandi had 17 points and 12 rebounds in Minnesota’s 82-71 victory over the Nets.
Kevin Garnett, who shot 0-for-5 from the floor in the first half, scored 17 points. Wally Szczerbiak added 14 for Minnesota, which won for just the second time in the last 10 games and set season bests in points allowed (71) and opponents’ field-goal percentage (31.0).
Vince Carter had 25 of his 32 points in the first half for New Jersey, which got a season-high 18 points from Ron Mercer, but little else from anyone else after halftime. After taking a 19-5 lead midway through the first quarter, the Nets scored at a rate barely better than a point per minute.
As Minnesota’s vice president of basketball operations, McHale fired Flip Saunders on Saturday, the first action taken by management in response to this highly disappointing season.
The Timberwolves’ various problems have included rebounding, effort, and shot selection, but they boxed out consistently, played hard, and moved the ball well against the Nets.
Olowokandi, whose production at center has been largely missing since signing with Minnesota before last season, epitomized the renaissance. Pleased with the play of Olowokandi, Szczerbiak, Eddie Griffin, Anthony Carter, and Fred Hoiberg, McHale left his second unit on the floor for extended stretches – a move that proved effective.
Olowokandi, whose 21-point, nine-re bound showing on February 6 against Boston was his best performance in two seasons with Minnesota, sparked a 31-8 spurt that bridged the first and second periods.
Garnett started the second quarter on the bench, and the Nets went to a small lineup that got taken advantage of underneath. The Wolves scored several easy layups and turnarounds in the lane and built a 36-27 lead.
The Wolves held a 52-41 rebounding edge and shot 24 free throws to the Nets’ 14. Carter and Jason Kidd, who made a trio of early 3-pointers, combined for 34 of New Jersey’s 38 points before halftime.
With 12 points, the Nets had their worst third-quarter total this season. That was also the lowest allowed by the Timberwolves in that period this season.
