Wolves lose to Houston, but fans win in Mexico City

MEXICO CITY – Eleven months after the Timberwolves didn't play a game they might never forget, they lost 113-101 to the Houston Rockets on a night they rightfully soon won't remember.

Last December, the Wolves traveled all the way to Mexico for a game scheduled against San Antonio that was postponed after smoke from a generator fire billowed into newish Mexico City Arena just 75 minutes before the opening tip.

On Wednesday, 18,996 long-waiting Mexican fans came to the 22,500-seat arena garbed in NBA gear — everything from vintage Michael Jordan No. 23 jerseys to those representing Rockets stars Dwight Howard and James Harden, Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant, the New York Knicks and Timberwolves present and past: Andrew Wiggins and missing Ricky Rubio as well as Kevin Garnett and almost-forgotten Latrell Sprewell.

They came for everything an NBA game far to the north presents, only delivered in Spanish.

"It was a great atmosphere, a fun game to play," Wolves coach Flip Saunders said afterward. "I wasn't sure when they were whistling, if they were whistling for us or against us. If you didn't know, you would have thought you were playing an NBA game in an NBA city."

The Wolves kept it a game for a half, trailing 53-49 at intermission, before the Rockets (7-1) used a 31-21 third quarter to pull away. The Wolves missed their first seven shots to start each half.

"You got two 19-year-old guys you're putting out there," Saunders said. "Sometimes it takes a little time for them and for the team to get into the game."

Howard delivered a 22-point, 10-rebound, four-block night but perhaps entertained the big crowd more when he spectacularly missed a dunk. Harden had 23 points and 10 assists on a night when Wolves coach Flip Saunders sent teenager Wiggins out on his own to defend the bearded one.

"He did about as good a job on James as you could hope for," Saunders said.

Wiggins scored 15 points before he sat down about the same time Howard and Harden did in the final minutes. Wolves veteran Corey Brewer led his team with 18 points, just 33 fewer than the 51 he scored the last time these teams met in April in Minneapolis.

Zach LaVine played 34 ½ minutes — backup point guard Mo Williams just 13 ½ minutes — and had a 2-for-9 shooting night that provided eight points, nine assists and three turnovers.

"I believe we're seeing Zach grow up right before our eyes," Saunders said.

The Wolves on Wednesday accepted a big payday from the NBA to move one of their 41 home games 1,800 miles away from Target Center on a night that had all the trappings of an NBA game held north of the border.

You had mascots from both teams, including the Wolves' Crunch outfitted for a time in sombrero and woven Mexican blanket. You had celebrity sightings shown on the huge overhead scoreboard at the massive, gleamingly modern four-level arena, only this time and for this audience it was celebrities such as Mexican actor Valentino Lanus and soccer player Marco Fabian.

And, of course, you had the Kiss Cam, which translates in any language including love.

The Wolves arrived on a bus that drove 45 minutes through the seemingly never-ending streets of Mexico City, rolling past vendor after vendor set up on the sidewalks hawking NBA — league-approved certainly — merchandise.

The evening began with the Wolves' usual pregame video production and the appearance of the team's dance line, followed by a hard-charging Crunch, who came onto the floor carrying his team's banner.

Rockets star Howard greeted the fans with a big — and very loud — "Hola!" when each team sent representative to midcourt to welcome the crowd. Wolves reserves center Ronny Turiaf did his part for his team with a short greeting in Spanish.