The Minnesota Timberwolves (5-6) defeated the Miami Heat (6-4) 103-91 on Tuesday.
A quick glance at Tuesday’s box score for each team’s starting five would bely the end result of a Timberwolves victory. The Heat enjoyed double-digit scoring performances from each of their starters, including a double-double from Hassan Whiteside. Meanwhile, while only Andrew Wiggins and rookie sensation Karl Anthony-Towns were able to muster significant offense for Minnesota’s first group, the Timbewolves managed to outscore Miami 41-22 in the final period to emerge with an impressive double-digit road victory.
Wiggins’ shot was falling Tuesday, and the second-year pro tallied 24 points, three rebounds, an assist, three steals, and a block to lead the Timberwolves’ charge. After falling a rebound short of a double-double the last two games, Towns burst through that barrier with a 14-point, 14-rebound performance against Hassan Whiteside. Shabazz Muhammad contributed another productive outing from the bench with an efficient 16 points over 20 minutes, while Zach LaVine continued to impress regardless of playing time with 17 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal over 28 minutes.
The Timberwolves currently reside in third place in the Western Conference’s Northwest Division. They travel up to Orlando for a date with the Magic on Wednesday.
Not to be outdone by Towns, Whiteside posted 22 points and 10 rebounds over 34 minutes. He joined in the “20 and Over” club by Luol Deng (20 points, six rebounds, an assist, and a block), who’s scoring marked a season best. However, stalwarts Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade could only muster 10 points apiece against a Timberwolves defense that came into the contest near the bottom of the league in points allowed per game, significantly hindering Miami’s chances for a win on their home court.
The Heat fell to 6-4 and remain in second place in the Eastern Conference’s Southeast Division. The remain home for a date versus Sacramento on Thursday.
