Wolves beat Kobe, Lakers in double OT
(AP)Updated: 2007-03-07 13:40 MINNEAPOLIS - Mark Blount's improbable 3-point prowess couldn't have come at a better time for Minnesota. The Timberwolves center hit three straight 3-pointers in the final 2:20 of regulation and Minnesota overcame 40 points from Kobe Bryant in a thrilling 117-107 double-overtime victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday night.
Bryant scored 40 for the first time since Jan. 31, his longest 40-point drought of the season, and added 13 rebounds and eight assists. But he managed just three points in the two overtimes as the Lakers let one slip away.
 Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Garnett, left and Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant, center, battle for a rebound during the second overtime period in a basketball game, Tuesday, March 6, 2007 in Minneapolis. Bryant picked up a fourl on the play. Lakers' William Parker, right, attempts to help on the play. Minnesota won 117-107. [AP] |
Ricky Davis led Minnesota with 33 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists in 56 minutes. His jumper gave Minnesota a 109-107 lead in the second overtime and Randy Foye added an acrobatic tip-in, then stole the ensuing inbounds pass to snap the Wolves' three-game losing streak.
Kevin Garnett added 26 points and 17 rebounds, but Blount was the hero in this one.
After the Wolves started the game 1-for-14 from long range and trailed by six with 2:30 to play, the 7-foot Blount started shooting. He entered the game 5-of-19 for the season from beyond the arc, but was 3-for-3 in the fourth quarter on Tuesday night.
His last one pulled Minnesota within 97-96 with 47.7 seconds to play and Davis hit two free throws with 3.1 seconds to go to send the game into the first overtime.
Blount finished with 18 points and Bryant negated a 17-point third quarter by going just 1-for-4 with three points in the two overtimes as the Lakers lost their third straight.
Los Angeles led 93-87 with 2:35 to play before Blount's barrage got Minnesota back in the game.
But the fun was just getting started.
Davis' 3-pointer with 1:01 to go in the first overtime gave Minnesota a 103-102 lead.
But Bryant came right back, swishing a long 3 from the right elbow for a 105-103 lead.
Davis tipped in a miss by Garnett at the other end with 3.3 seconds to go, sending the game into a second OT.
The Timberwolves outscored the Lakers 12-2 in the final overtime, with Smush Parker's driving layup 1:30 into the period the only basket for the Lakers. Parker finished with 24 points.
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