|
 |   |
|
EVENTS Fantasy Central Inside Game Multimedia Central Statitudes Your Turn Message Boards Email Newsletters Golf Guide Cities Work in Sports
CNNSI.com GROUP
COMMERCE
|  |
SAN ANTONIO (Ticker) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves were the ones who sprung a leak. Offseason acquisition Derek Anderson made a huge impact in his second game for his new team as the San Antonio Spurs overcame a sluggish first half and rallied for a 103-91 victory over the Timberwolves. Coming off an impressive season-opening victory at Houston, the Timberwolves got off to another quick start tonight, building a 55-45 lead at halftime. But following the intermission, the game at the Alamodome was delayed 17 minutes due to a leak in the roof that left condensation on the court. Anderson, who was signed as a free agent after playing for the Los Angeles Clippers last season, was not bothered by the delay and scored 15 of his 29 points in the third quarter as San Antonio forged a 79-79 tie heading into the final period. Anderson and backcourt mate Avery Johnson proved too much for Minnesota to handle in the fourth quarter, combining for 10 points in a decisive 15-4 run that helped the Spurs open a 98-83 advantage with 2:26 remaining. "It was a good feeling tonight. They were double teaming the big guys," Anderson said. "I had to take it upon myself to make something else happen. Sitting around watching those guys get beat up is not successful." Tim Duncan did the work on the inside for the Spurs, scoring 24 points on 10-of-15 shooting while grabbing nine rebounds. Kevin Garnett, matched against Duncan, had 21 points and 11 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who failed in their bid to start a season 2-0 for the second time in franchise history. "I'd like to say it (the delay) that it did have an effect on us, but to be honest we played the same way in the third quarter in Houston," Minnesota coach Flip Saunders said. "In the second half, when they started to hit shots and things started going their way, we just didn't step up on defense." Another offeseason acquisition, Danny Ferry drilled a jumper to begin the fourth quarter that gave the Spurs the lead for good. Antonio Daniels and Malik Rose, who scored eight points -- all in the fourth quarter -- each hit a pair of free throws to extend the lead to six. "Derek Anderson was super. He had it rolling," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "Tim Duncan was special as usual and Malik Rose was outstanding." Rasho Nesterovic made layup to draw the Timberwolves within 84-81 with 6:39 left, but that was as close as they would get. Duncan made a bank shot, triggering the 15-3 spurt. Anderson had a dunk and 3-pointer around a jumper by Johnson before Rose capped that run with two free throws, pushing the advantage to 98-83 with 2:26 to go. "In the first half we executed really well and were getting the ball to our third and fourth options," Saunders said. "But in the second half when they made their run we started to play out of character. We did not play the way we normally play." Anderson, who scored nine points in his debut, made 9-of-18 shots from the field and made all nine of his free throws. In the decisive second half, Anderson was at his best by making 7-of-10 attempts from the floor. Daniels added 11 points off the bench for the Spurs, who shot 47 percent (36-of-77) and held a 42-37 rebounding advantage. The Spurs were able to win for the second time in as many games despite an off night from center David Robinson, who scored just four points on 1-of-7 shooting in 24 minutes. He missed most of the second half with a sore lower back. Garnett and Chauncey Billups scored 10 points apiece in the second quarter and Terrell Brandon 14 in the first half, helping the Timberwolves built a 10-point lead. Brandon was limited to just five points in the second half, connecting on just 2-of-9 shots. He made 6-of-8 shots from the field in the opening half. Billups also was shut down in the second half, scoring just two more points before fouling out in the fourth quarter. Following the delay, the Spurs wasted little time in getting back in the game, opening the second half on a 13-4 run, capped by a dunk from Duncan to draw within 59-58. Anthony Peeler added 10 points for Minnesota, which shot 46 percent (40-of-87) and went 10-of-15 from the free throw line. San Antonio made 27-of-30 foul shots.
|
