Dein erstes Forum » Sixty-four free throws is a lot of free throws

DENVER -- Minnesota built up a big advantage at the free throw line throughout the game, and it was just enough to hold off Denvers furious rally. Kevin Love scored 33 points and tied a season high with 19 rebounds for his NBA-best 50th double-double this season, and the Timberwolves withstood Denvers 45-point fourth quarter to beat the skidding Nuggets 132-128 on Monday night for their third win in a row. Kevin Martin added 22 points for the Timberwolves, including four clutch free throws in the final 11.7 seconds. Martin made 16 of 17 foul shots, helping Minnesota rack up NBA season highs in attempts (64) and makes (52) from the line. Denver, meanwhile, went 16 of 25 (64 per cent). "Sixty-four free throws is a lot of free throws," Love said. "It was unbelievable. There were a lot of things that went on in that game that were just nuts, particularly the free throw situation and the 3-pointers at the end. K-Mart made some great plays, hit some big free throws, and that ultimately gave us separation." Love did his part as well, topping 30 points for the 11th time in his last 14 starts, including 11 of 13 from the free throw line to help Minnesota wrap up a 4-1 trip out west. "Thats major," Martin said of Minnesotas successful road swing. "Tonight was a must-win for us. You dont have too many must-wins in the beginning of March, but we understand where were at right now and guys had the mindset that we had to do anything we had to do to get the win." The Nuggets got a huge boost from the return of Ty Lawson, who scored a season-high 31 points with 11 assists in his first game since breaking a rib Feb. 8 at Detroit. But it wasnt enough to reverse their sagging fortunes. Denver lost its sixth straight and has dropped 11 of 12 overall. "You give a team 52 points at the free throw line and another 54 points in the paint, it is going to be tough to beat them," Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said. Trailing by 22 after a layup by Nikola Pekovic midway through the third quarter, the Nuggets responded with a 13-2 run that Randy Foye finished with a 3-pointer to pull to 85-74 with 4:10 remaining in the period. Minnesota, though, got its transition game going, getting successive breakaway baskets by Corey Brewer and a driving dunk from Dante Cunningham to take a 98-83 lead into the fourth. Just 3 minutes later, the Timberwolves were in front by 20 on a 20-foot jumper by Shabazz Muhammad. Denver made another push, pulling to 117-107 on Aaron Brooks 3-pointer with 3:25 left and then cutting it to 128-125 on Wilson Chandlers 3 with 12.6 seconds left. After Martin was fouled and made a pair of free throws, Evan Fournier hit another 3 with 7.2 seconds remaining to bring Denver to 130-128. Martin was fouled and again made both free throws, securing the win for the Timberwolves after Chandlers 3-point try in the final seconds hit the rim and bounced away -- though Minnesota was outscored 45-34 in the final period. "They were making everything, banking stuff in," Brewer said. "But its all about getting the win. Nights like that, you have to hold on. "For us to go 4-1 on the road trip means a lot. Now we get to go home, four games at home, and we need all four games at home." The Timberwolves outscored the Nuggets 40-25 in the first quarter and led 66-49 at halftime. Chandler had a pair of baskets, cutting Minnesotas lead to 58-47, but the Timberwolves scored eight of 10 points in the last 2:18 of the second to rebuild their lead. "We gave up too many points in the first quarter," Lawson said. "When youre playing uphill like that, its tough to come back and actually get the win. We got it down to two, but they just hit their free throws at the end." NOTES: Timberwolves C Ronny Turiaf missed his fifth game because of a bone bruise on his right knee. ... Minnesota improved to 27-14 when scoring more than 100 points. ... Denver lost to Minnesota at the Pepsi Center for just the fourth time in 18 games since the start of the 2005-06 season. ... Love has scored 30 or more points a team-record 21 times this season. ... Minnesotas point total represented a season high. ... Lawsons previous season high was 29 points against Oklahoma City on Nov. 18. Pittsburgh Pirates Store . -- Jesse Lussier scored 8:24 into overtime as the Halifax Mooseheads erased a four-goal deficit to beat the host Val-dOr Foreurs 6-5 on Tuesday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League playoff action. Pirates Jerseys 2020 . That time around, the cage is as much a part of baseballs daily routine as a beer and a hotdog is to a fan in the stands. Coaches, scouts, broadcasters and other media hover, tossing verbal barbs, telling stories and sharing laughs. Occasionally, especially in spring when the atmosphere is relatively laid back, the list of invited guests expands and on this day, Gibbons welcomed two men strongly influential in his life. https://www.cheappiratesjerseys.us/ . - In about six minutes, the Memphis Grizzlies had allowed their 23-point lead to be cut to seven. Pittsburgh Pirates Gear . - While a fast-paced offence has become more of a fixture in recent years, the San Antonio Spurs can still grind out games when needed. Fake Pirates Jerseys . While Minnesota takes aim at its eighth win of November, the Canadiens will try to post just their third victory in nine games this month.BARCELONA, Spain -- Malaga defender Weligton scored a header deep in injury time to snatch a 1-1 draw at Villarreal on Friday, ending a two-game losing streak for Bernd Schusters side in the Spanish League. The Brazilian muscled by his marker to head a last-gasp corner kick into the net four minutes into stoppage time and ruin what would have equaled Villarreals best ever start through 15 rounds. Also, Getafe beat visiting Levante 1-0 thanks to Pedro Leons second-half goal to end a three-game winless run and provisionally rise into sixth place. Villarreals draw left it in fourth place and in the final Champions League spot. Athletic Bilbao can pass Villarreal if it can find a way to deal Barcelona its first league loss on Sunday. Malaga edged two points above the relegation zone before the rest of the fixtures this round. "When you dont win, it becomes a burden for the team," Weligton said. "But the team is united and the result was fair considering the effort we put into it." Villarreal went ahead in the 32nd when Bruno Soriano volleyed Ruben "Cani" Gracias low cross into the far side of the net. But Malaga stifled the hosts normally vibrant attack until its final push paid off. Mexico forward Giovani dos Santos returned for Villarreal after missing the last two games with a muscle injury to his left leg. He showed his hasnt lost hiis speed when he raced to the end line and sent in a dangerous cross late.dddddddddddd Levante established the slow tempo that favoured its defensive style in the first half that saw no clear chances from either side, leading to the sparse crowd at the Alonso Perez Coliseum jeering both sides as they walked off the pitch. Levante threatened soon after the break but Getafe goalkeeper Miguel Moya saved Simao Mates header in the 51st before Jordi Xumetra volleyed Papakouly Diops lofted pass wide. Getafe showed more verve in attack and broke through when Simaos attempt to clear the ball hit another player, with the ball falling for Leon to blast it in off the upright. Getafes win came six days after losing 7-0 to Atletico Madrid. "We know that this wasnt our best game," said Leon. "But these are three important points after the big setback we suffered last week. Being Getafe, we are having a good season." It was Levantes fourth straight loss and, depending on the rounds other results to come, it could slip close to the drop zone. On Saturday, Atletico and Real Madrid will try to put pressure on Barcelona with their respective games against Elche and Valladolid. Also, Real Sociedad visits Espanyol while Celta Vigo hosts Almeria. Elsewhere on Sunday, its: Real Betis vs. Rayo Vallecano, Granada vs. Sevilla, and Valencia vs. Osasuna. ' ' '