Wolves have first winning streak since December

Late spurt from Andrew Wiggins closes out win over Chicago.

February 7, 2016 at 4:53AM
Chicago Bulls' Pau Gasol, left, of Spain, tries to work around Minnesota Timberwolves' Gorgui Dieng of Senegal in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves won 112-105. Gasol led the Bulls with 25 points while Dieng scored 24 for the Timberwolves. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) ORG XMIT: MNJM110
Chicago Bulls’ Pau Gasol, left, of Spain, tries to work around Minnesota Timberwolves’ Gorgui Dieng of Senegal in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2016, in Minneapolis. The Timberwolves won 112-105. Gasol led the Bulls with 25 points while Dieng scored 24 for the Timberwolves. (AP Photo/Jim Mone) ORG XMIT: MNJM110 (Mike Nelson — Associated Press/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

After Saturday's victory, almost to a man, the Wolves pointed to their modest two-game winning streak – their first since before Christmas – as proof that this young team is starting to grow up.

Perhaps they're right. Though it should be noted that Saturday's victory came against a Bulls team playing on a back-to-back without leading scorer Jimmy Butler.

But, for the second straight game, the Wolves have closed out a close game with some strong play late. Saturday Andrew Wiggins – who had just 11 points through three quarters – scored 10 points in the final 12 minutes, including six straight points late to help the Wolves ice the win.

Here are some thoughts/stats from the game.

--What a night for big men Karl-Anthony Towns and Gorgui Dieng. They combined for 50 points, 30 rebounds, eight assists and four blocks tonight. They also combined for 11 offensive rebounds against a Chicago team that is one of the best in the league on the boards.

--This was just the fifth time this season the Wolves had three players score 20 or more points in the same game (Towns 26, Dieng 24 and Wiggins 21). All five have come in the last month.

--The Wolves have now matched last season's win total (16).

--The Wolves have now won three of their last four home games.

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--Dieng's 24 points were a career high. For Towns, he now has 28 double-doubles this season. It was also his 14th game with 20 points and 10 rebounds, matching the club rookie record for such games in a single season (Christian Laettner, 1992-93).

--This was the third straight game the Wolves have shot 50 percent or better. It's the first time they've done that since March 2013.

about the writer

about the writer

Kent Youngblood

Reporter

Kent Youngblood has covered sports for the Minnesota Star Tribune for more than 20 years.

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