Greetings for a final time from San Antonio, where the Wolves took a big step backward in a one-sided loss to the Spurs.
What an up and down season, as far as effort goes. Wolves coach Flip Saunders ripped the teams effort in a loss to Philly, and his guys respond with a strong effort in Friday's overtime loss to Houston.
And then this?
The Spurs were resting two starters and played Tim Duncan only 18-plus minutes. And yet the Spurs basically cruised after a run to end the first quarter.
"You play that way against Houston, and you come in here today? … That's what's disappointing."
Here are some nuggets from tonight's game.
--Zach LaVine became the fourth teenager to have a 20-point, 10-assist night in the NBA. LeBron James did it (eight times), as did Stephon Marbury (three times) as well as a fellow named Dejuan Wagner. And yet Saunders was in no mood to give anyone compliments. "Somebody's going to score, even when you're playing bad," he said.
--The only players Saunders gave even a little praise to was Shabazz Muhammad, who scored 20 points in 21-plus minutes of playing time, and Anthony Bennett, who had 14 points and 10 rebounds.
