The Associated Press
CLEVELAND–There’s no question the Minnesota Timberwolves have been better since trading disgruntled star Jimmy Butler.
Last night’s 102-95 victory over the Cleveland Cavaliers improved Minnesota’s record to 6-2 since the trade two weeks ago that sent Butler to Philadelphia.
The victory moved Minnesota within a game of .500. The Timberwolves haven’t been at the break-even mark since the fourth game of the season.
“We have a long way to go but we keep improving,” said coach Tom Thibodeau.
“We’re still not playing as well as we can,” he added. “We can’t be satisfied.”
Robert Covington, one of three players acquired in the Butler trade, scored 24 points while Karl-Anthony Towns added 21, giving Minnesota just its second win in 10 road games this season.
Covington bounced back from a horrendous game Saturday against Chicago in which he scored four points, was 1-of-18 from the field, and missed all 10 of his three-point attempts.
He was 8-of-12 from the field and hit 4-of-7 three-pointers last night.
“The second that clock hit zero [Saturday], that game was out of my mind,” Covington said.
“That’s what happens when you’re a shooter.”
Derrick Rose came off the bench to score 10 of his 12 points in the fourth quarter.
Towns hit two baskets in the final two minutes, including a fadeaway jumper on the baseline, after Cleveland cut the lead to 91-86.
Cleveland beat Philadelphia and Houston last week for its first back-to-back wins of the season, but couldn’t make it three-straight.
Kyle Korver scored 22 points, including six three-pointers, for Cleveland. Rodney Hood added 20 points while Tristan Thompson had 16 points and 11 rebounds.
Cleveland shot just 8-of-21 and committed five turnovers in the fourth quarter.
Hood thought the lack of ball movement down the stretch was a key factor.
“We get stagnant and then it turns into–I don’t want to say bad basketball but it makes it tougher for us to score,” he said.
Towns turned in a highlight-worthy play in the second quarter. The seven-footer picked up an errant pass from Larry Nance Jr. near mid-court, drove around two defenders in the lane, and scored on a thunderous dunk.
Elsewhere in the NBA, Charlotte beat Milwaukee 110-107, Washington topped Houston 135-131 (OT), Boston downed New Orleans 124-107, San Antonio edged Chicago 108-107, Indiana dumped Utah 121-88, and Golden State upended Orlando 116-110.
