nent. Its no secret that the Spurs define that and its a sh

CLEVELAND -- The Minnesota Timberwolves had exactly what they wanted -- their best player with an open shot and the game on the line. Harrison Barnes Jersey . Kevin Loves 3-point attempt with 1.9 seconds left bounced off the back rim, sending Minnesota to its first loss of the season in a 93-92 defeat to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday night. "Heck yeah, well take that shot every time," said guard Kevin Martin, who led the Timberwolves with 23 points. "The best power forward in the league with a great look to win the game." Loves 29.7 average going into the game led the league in scoring. Even though he struggled from the field, hitting 8 of 20 shots and scoring 17 points, he was confident his late shot would go down and his team would come all the way back from a 23-point deficit in the third quarter. "More often than not, I believe Im going to make that shot," Love said. "J.J. (Barea) made a good pass and I was in good rhythm, but I just hit the back rim." Even the Cavaliers realized they were fortunate. "Luckily, K-Love missed a shot and we got the stop," said Kyrie Irving, who had 15 points, eight rebounds and six assists, but committed a career-high nine turnovers and missed two shots down the stretch that would have helped Cleveland extend its lead. The Timberwolves got the lead into single digits several times in the fourth quarter, but still trailed 93-84 with 2:43 remaining. The Cavaliers didnt score again and Minnesota had its opportunity after Irving missed with 15 seconds left. "We finally decided to play some defence in the fourth quarter and gave ourselves a chance to win," said Love, who was named the Western Conference player of the week. "I just didnt convert." Minnesota, which won its first three games, was off to its best start since going 6-0 in 2001-02. C.J. Miles led the Cavaliers with 19 points. Rookie forward Anthony Bennett from Brampton, Ont., taken with the No. 1 pick in the draft, missed all three of his shots and is 0 for 15 from the field this season. His only points have come on two free throws in the season opener. Cavaliers centre Andrew Bynum played 18:40, his longest stint of the season, and scored 10 points with four rebounds. After playing 9:42 in the first half, he returned in the third quarter for the first time in the four games hes played. Bynum, who missed all of last season with injuries to both knees, said before the game hes not sure if he will regain the explosiveness he had earlier in his career. Minnesota trailed 76-61 going into the fourth quarter and cut the margin to nine points early in the period. Two baskets by Miles and a jumper by Bynum pushed the margin to 84-69, but the Timberwolves werent finished, outscoring Cleveland 31-19 in the final period. The Cavaliers avoided a third straight loss after a season-opening 98-94 home victory over Brooklyn. "It was a great learning experience," said Cleveland coach Mike Brown. "Hopefully, we can build off that if were in that position again, especially in the near future." NOTES: Love downplayed his individual award which was announced Monday. "Ill take a 3-0 start over any individual honour, but its cool," he said. "It just shows that if you win, good things happen for everybody." ... Cavaliers F Tristan Thompson had 12 points and 11 rebounds. He scored two points and had four rebounds in 35 minutes Saturday against Indiana. ... The Cavaliers play at Milwaukee on Wednesday. ... The Timberwolves host Golden State on Wednesday. Phil Ford Jersey . The team let Keaton Ellerby, James Wright and Matt Halischuk become unrestricted free agents after declining to make them qualifying offers. Ellerby, 25, appeared in 51 games for the Jets last season and had two goals and four assists. Tom Van Arsdale Jersey . He looked very comfortable Wednesday night. Konerko had a big three-run double and Gordon Beckham homered for the second straight game, leading the Chicago White Sox to an 8-3 victory over the sliding Chicago Cubs. https://www.cheapkingsbasketball.com/1052b-scott-wedman-jersey-kings.html . The win puts Arsenal four points clear of Everton in fourth place with two games to play in the Premier League, a position which would qualify the club for Europes top competition for the 17th straight year.TSNs Jack Armstrong offers his thoughts on the return of Stephen Jackson, the play of Goran Dragic and the surprising Suns, the impact of Brook Lopez and Deron Williams with the Nets, Danny Grangers impending return in Indiana and the key to the Spurs success. 1. STEPHEN JACKSON (Clippers): He departed the Spurs last year under cloudy circumstances yet, in the right situation in certain seasons, he has proven to be both a valuable and very productive/winning player. In my book, worth the risk. With JJ Redick out of the lineup right now, you need offensive firepower and shooting and if hes right, he can bring both. Hes played on good teams and made those teams better. Most importantly, you need a leader/coach that he respects and will hold him accountable. Doc Rivers is that guy. If Jackson wants back in the NBA, hes got the chance now yet hell be expected to do it right and this environment is a good returning spot for him. 2. GORAN DRAGIC (Suns): Did you check out his performance vs. the Lakers Tuesday night? 31 pts and five assists. He ate them up; they couldnt guard him. Hes a crafty guy who is very adept at changing speeds and turning the corner and getting into the lane on you and does a wonderful job keeping his dribble alive to make plays. High energy guy who is always fun to watch. The Suns are 12-9. If the season ended today, theyd be in the playoffs - in the West! No, not the East, the West! Amazing!! 3. BROOK LOPEZ and DERON WILLIAMS (Nets): Amazing what good players can do for you (combined for 49 points on 20-29 shooting vs. Boston). Jason Kidd looks a whole lot more capable when he has these two guys in his lineup. Also nice to have Paul Pierce back on the court. Bottom line, in the weak Atlantic Division/Eastern Conference, as bad as things have been for the Nets with injuries/drama/expectations, if they can get and stay healthy, theyll be a playoff team. And if the chemistry were to ever come around, they could be a pretty dangerous team to play against in an early-round series. 4. DANNY GRANGER (Pacers): Has only played in five games over the past two seasons for a team that has become one of the eliite 3-5 teams in the NBA. Sacramento Kings Store. . Hoping to return this weekend. Hes always been a lead actor in Indy. Paul George is that guy now. Can his ego stay in check and is he willing to sacrifice whatever it takes to help his team in whatever role his coaches devise for him? He can be a huge plus for them if hes willing to do what it takes. Obviously, sitting on the bench and watching his team be one of the best in the league has to humble you a bit yet make you hungry to get out there and do what it takes to be that finishing piece to help your team win a title. His presence on the floor will define how the Pacers chemistry evolves from here. If hes right mentally, they can become really dangerous on every level as a title contender. His scoring ability will make their depth even more of a strength. 5. SAN ANTONIO SPURS: An amazing series of facts about this team were pointed out to me by a few folks Tuesday night. Yes, we all know they have a Hall of Famer/franchise #1 pick in Tim Duncan. Some of the other pieces on the floor in Toronto Tuesday night vs. the Raptors include six second round picks, an undrafted player, a 30th Pick and two 28th picks. Remember what I said a few weeks back about the draft pedigree of the Indiana Pacers, sure you need a really good player but beyond that you MUST have GREAT leadership in the coaching area and the scouting/player evaluation and projection component. Its no secret that the Spurs define that and its a shame more franchises dont stay disciplined and use that model. Many swing for the fences with name guys that dont win for you. In a world of tank nation talk (I respect that you must have elite talent to win), it still comes down to the substance of what you put around an elite player that defines success. Too often, we look for the glitzy big name and reach for the bright lights and the style. In the end, it comes down to so many pieces meshing in an operation and it all comes back to the leadership of your owner, president, GM and coach. You get a good horse with a lousy jockey and hell underperform. Yes, youve got to have the horses, yet you better have the right folks leading the way. It all goes together. ' ' '

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