T-Wolves play Spurs close but fall 94-91

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Minnesota Timberwolves

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San Antonio, TX (Sports Network) - Manu Ginobili finished with 21 points and seven rebounds to lead a balanced attack that San Antonio used to beat Minnesota, 94-91, in the opener of a home-and-home set.

Antonio McDyess and Richard Jefferson both scored 13 points for the Spurs, who have won two in a row since dropping consecutive games to New York and Boston. Tony Parker, Matt Bonner, and George Hill all had 11 points in the victory.

Kevin Love posted 18 points and 17 boards for Minnesota, which has lost four in a row. Darko Milicic added 11 points and 10 rebounds, while Luke Ridnour ended with 16 points, seven assists, and six rebounds.

The game marked the third meeting between the teams this season, all of which have been close. While the Spurs have won all three, they've won by a total of 13 points and needed overtime to take a victory on November 24.

Neither team led by more than nine in Sunday's contest, which featured seven lead changes and eight times tied.

However, San Antonio led down the stretch and held a 94-86 advantage after Hill made two free throws with 3:24 to go. Milicic countered with a layup, and Ridnour drained a three with 2:02 to go, making it a one-possession game.

Both offenses struggled in the final two minutes -- together, they missed five shots and turned the ball over twice. Minnesota had a few opportunities to tie the game in the final minute, but three-pointers from Ridnour and Anthony Tolliver were off the mark as the Spurs held on.

Tags: minnesota sports, proam, basketball, timberwolves