CLEVELAND - Timberwolves center Nikola Pekovic's life became a lot easier -- and his night much more productive -- Monday night when his team made shots from all over, particularly from three-point range.
On Sunday in Memphis, Pekovic took five shots, and just one in the second half, and scored eight points in a lopsided loss when he wasn't a factor all night.
In Monday's 100-92 victory over Cleveland, he returned to his double-double ways with a 16-point, 10-rebound night in which he got 14 shots from the field.
"The one thing that hurts him is when we shoot the ball poorly, they're going to pack it in on us," coach Rick Adelman said, referring to opposing defenses that collapse on Pekovic. "We've shot the ball poorly and it limits his touches."
The Wolves didn't shoot poorly at least for one night Monday. They shot 52 percent and went 8-for-14 on three-pointers.
"For me, it's easier when we make some open shots," Pekovic said. "I get a little more room to operate. I'm still missing some shots, but that's just part of the game."
Barea returns J.J. Barea played nearly 15 minutes off the bench Monday on that sprained foot that caused him to miss Sunday's game.
His return gave Adelman more opportunity to play that three-guard lineup he often prefers, including down the stretch when he relied upon Ricky Rubio, Alexey Shved and Luke Ridnour together.
