Towns, Dieng Notch Double-Doubles To Lead T’Wolves Past Nets

Prized rookie Karl-Anthony Towns notched a double-double while Ricky Rubio had another great all-around game to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves past the Brooklyn Nets, 100-85.

Towns had 24 points on an efficient 10-of-19 shooting with 10 rebounds while Rubio had 8 points, 15 assists and 4 steals for the Timberwolves, which improved to 7-6 on the road this season. Andrew Wiggins added 16 points on 6-of-11 field goals while big man Gorgui Dieng contributed 20 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Reserve guards Zach LaVine added 10 points and Kevin Martin had 16 points.

Minnesota is one of the few NBA teams who plays better on the road as they are just 4-10 at home for an overall record of 11 wins against 16 losses. They started well away from home again in Brooklyn, where they grabbed a 26-16 lead after the opening quarter.

The Nets, who were led by center Brook Lopez’s 20 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists, made a comeback halfway into the second quarter, tying the game at 36-all with 5:16 to go before halftime. However, the Timberwolves made another major run, finishing the first half on 16-7 run and got the 52-43 lead at halftime.

The Nets tried to make the game close in the second half but the Timberwolves never gave up the lead as Brooklyn suffered their fifth straight loss. After four straight defeats, Minnesota has won back-to-back games after a previous win versus the Sacramento Kings.

The Nets will try to snap their losing streak on the road against the Chicago Bulls on Monday while the Timberwolves will try to match their longest winning streak of the season when they visit the Boston Celtics, also on Monday.