Recap: Phoenix vs. Minnesota

 

The Sports Network

Andrei Kirilenko led seven Minnesota players in double figures with 20 points as the Timberwolves cruised to a 117-86 win over the Phoenix Suns on Friday.

Dante Cunningham chipped in with 18 points and Greg Stiemsma finished with 14 points and 10 boards for the Timberwolves, who had dropped 12 of their last 15 games entering the contest.

Ricky Rubio and Luke Ridnour finished with 12 points apiece while Nikola Pekovic and Chase Budinger each added 11 in the triumph.

"Right from the very beginning our guys came ready to play. We did a nice job of moving the ball and attacking the basket and we were very active in the zone," said Wolves coach Rick Adelman.

Luis Scola had a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds and Goran Dragic finished with 13 points and 10 assists for the Suns, losers in six of their last seven games.

Minnesota shot 57.9 percent in the first quarter and went a perfect 9-for-9 from the free throw line to jump out to an early 31-18 lead after the first 12 minutes.

The Wolves stayed hot in the second, going 14-for-24 from the field, to stretch their lead to 67-39 at the break.

Minnesota shot 58.1 percent from the field in the first half, and scored 15 points off 11 Phoenix turnovers.

The Suns managed to cut the lead under 20 points, 84-65 with three minutes to go in the third, but Phoenix closed the quarter on an 11-4 run.

Minnesota's lead swelled to 35 in the fourth.

"I just didn't think we played with any fire in the beginning. You put yourself in a hole that way," said Suns coach Lindsey Hunter. "Then you come out in the third quarter and play the inspired way you are suppose to and now you are down, but you cant play perfect."

Game Notes

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