Greetings from a final time from Target Center. I'm about to battle the snow on my long commute home.
The Wolves managed another statistical quirk tonight, shooting better than 55 percent and losing for just the third time since the 1996-97 season. They're record in those games in that time: 63-3. The biggest reasons: Turnovers and lack of rebounding, something that likely won't change until a few of the Wolves'' healthy players return to action.
Here are some other thoughts on the game:
--Kevin Martin had nine assists tonight. That is a career record. "I don't know if he's had nine assists in a month of games," joked coach Flip Saunders.
--Eight Wolves players saw action tonight. Seven of them scored in double figures.
--The team's injury situation got worse when Gary Neal went down early in the fourth quarter with a sprained left ankle. He didn't make the trip to Utah, which means there might be only seven players available for Monday's game against the Jazz.
--Tonight the Wolves' bench scored 30 points on 13-for-17 shooting.
--Adreian Payne is going to struggle defensively until he gets stronger and more experienced. But he had a nice game tonight with 13 points, nine rebounds and an assist. He and Gorgui Dieng combined for 29 points and 17 rebounds.
That's about it for now. Jerry will be with the team tomorrow in Utah.
