Wolves follow Golden State upset with 105-97 win over Kings

By foxsports
Published

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Gorgui Dieng had 18 points and 13 rebounds, Zach LaVine and Nemanja Bjelica also scored 18 points, and the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Sacramento Kings 105-97 on Thursday night.

The Timberwolves led for most of the game in following up their victory at Golden State by sweeping the four-game series against the Kings.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and 10 rebounds and Andrew Wiggins scored 15 points for the Timberwolves. Bjelica made four 3-pointers and his point total was a career high.

Darren Collison had 19 points and six assists in the Kings' third straight loss. Quincy Acy scored 17 points, Willie Cauley-Stein had 15 and Rudy Gay finished with 13 points and 13 rebounds.

Kings coach George Karl rested DeMarcus Cousins, the team's leading scorer and rebounder, and Rajon Rondo, who leads the NBA in assists. This was Sacramento's 32nd different starting lineup.

The youthful Timberwolves were coming off their most impressive victory of the season, rallying from a 17-point deficit Tuesday to defeat the Warriors in overtime. It was only Golden State's second loss this season at home and prevented the Warriors from getting their 70th win.

The Wolves and Kings have grown accustomed to playing meaningless games near the end of the regular season. Minnesota has missed the playoffs 12 years in row and Sacramento hasn't been in the playoffs for 10 straight seasons.

TIP INS

Timberwolves: Minnesota entered the game with a 13-26 record both home and away. ... Kevin Garnett (sore knee) and Nikola Pekovic (sore ankle) remain out indefinitely. . . LaVine had an extremely efficient first half, making 6 of 8 shots, four of them 3-pointers, and scoring 18 points. ... After scoring a career-high 35 points against the Warriors, Shabazz Muhammad had 10 points.

Kings: The Kings will play their final game ever Saturday at Sleep Train Arena, which has been their home for the past 28 years. Next season they will play in a downtown arena. Approximately 50 former players and coaches are expected to attend the final game. ... Besides Cousins and Rondo, the Kings also played without Marco Belinelli (sore foot) and Omri Casspi (strained hamstring).

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: At Portland on Saturday.

Kings: Host Oklahoma City on Saturday.