It was nice seeing the Timberwolves players having a little fun after a game for a change. Tonight they were giddy after the comeback, overtime win over the Hornets. After being so cool under pressure, Zach LaVine and Gorgui Dieng were throwing ice cubes at one another. Describing what was like to watch Andrew Wiggins hit that long three to send the game into overtime, LaVine referred to him as "that curly-haired sucker.''
Outside the locker room, coach Tom Thibodeau was throwing a bit of ice around too, at least figuratively.
And correctly. Thibodeau went to great lengths not to get too high after this win, even though it ended a four-game losing streak.
"Obviously we're pleased we won,'' he said. "But we'll gather tomorrow, have a day of recovery, and get back to work.''
Here are some final thoughts on tonight's game:
--Once again the Wolves bench was good. Both Shabazz Muhammad and Nemanja Bjelica scored 12 off the bench, Cole Aldrige had four points and eight rebounds and Kris Dunn was again efficient, with eight points and six assists in 16-plus minutes. The bench got the team going after a slow start, and against to start the fourth quarter with the team down 10.
--It looks like Wiggins might be getting his swagger back. He had 29 tonight, hit on 11 of 20 shots and two of seven three-pointers. He also had three steals.
--It was a very up and down game for Karl-Anthony Towns. But he sure was good late. He had eight points, two rebounds and an assist in the overtime.
--Ditto for Zach LaVine. He had 12 points after the third quarter: 10 in the fourth quarter and two in overtime.
--The Wolves had a season-high 32 assists tonight, proof that the players kept moving the ball, even when they were down.it was a season high