First-half lead lost in big 'letdown'

Jennifer Simonson, Star Tribune

Wolves forward Corey Brewer, center, was fouled by the Celtics' Leon Powe, but he still scored.

A foul-happy Kevin Garnett sat out the fourth quarter, but the Timberwolves couldn't score.

By BRIAN STENSAAS, Star Tribune

Last update: November 22, 2008 - 12:34 AM

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The Timberwolves weren't shooting great after 24 minutes of play against the Celtics on Friday night. But despite a 27.3 percent clip from the field in the first half, Minnesota held a three-point lead over the defending NBA champions, doing its job from the free-throw line, making 14 of 16 attempts against foul-happy Boston.

It then all went awry.

The Wolves tied a team record for fewest field goals in a quarter, making just two in the third. Boston, on the other hand, made 13 of 20 in the third quarter, outscoring Minnesota 35-10.

By the time the fourth quarter started, Kevin Garnett was on the bench for good and the Celtics coasted to the victory.

"They played great defense in that quarter," Wolves guard Randy Foye said. "Team defense. Together."

Friday's poor third-quarter performance came two days after Minnesota shot 51.4 percent in a victory over Philadelphia.

Boston's ability to clog the lane Friday forced Minnesota to settle for jump shots. But nothing fell.

"We stayed perimeter when we were missing, and they were able to blow it out," Wolves coach Randy Wittman said.

Foye's running jumper with 9 minutes, 30 seconds to go in the third quarter gave Minnesota a 41-40 lead. The Timberwolves' only other field goal in the quarter came with 4:01 to play, an Al Jefferson layup. By that time, however, Boston had an 11-point advantage.

"I feel as though we didn't have the same intensity in the third quarter," Foye said. "They came out, fired up and ready to go."

Rookie Kevin Love missed his only shot attempt in the third quarter. He finished the game 3-for-10 and failed on all three of his three-point attempts. Although he fared well when matched up on defense with Garnett, being on the court during Boston's monster third quarter was a "letdown."

"They punked us," Love said. "It's real frustrating. But we're young. They've got a bunch of vets on their team; they've got three of the best players in the NBA. They've got pieces put together on their team and a great coach to where they can win every game. And they really turned it on in the second half."

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