On a night when the Wolves starters played very well, it was the Wolves bench that was the ultimate difference in a 108-103 loss in Charlotte. His bench already thin because of injuries, interim coach Sam Mitchell found out an hour before gametime that Greg Smith was ailing with an ingrown toenail. Mitchell had been hoping to use Smith against Al Jefferson, whom the Hornets bring off the bench. But, after trying for less than 3 minutes, Smith was out of the game for good.
The Wolves bench finished with just nine points, a season low.
Here are some other thoughts on the game:
--The previous low for the Wolves bench this season was 10 vs. Toronto on Feb. 10. The last time the Wolves bench failed to score 10 points was when it had nine last season vs. Cleveland.
--Karl –Anthony Towns logged his 36th double-double of the season. He was very good tonight, with 28 points and 14 rebounds. He also had two blocks and two assists.
--Andrew Wiggins was aggressive much of the night, scoring 25 points on 11-for-17 shooting. Twice he drove the lane, absorbed big contact, but finished at the rim.
--The highlight of the night: Zach LaVine's 360-degree fastbreak dunk.
--Rubio's 10 points and 10 assists gave him his ninth double-double of the season.
--Once again lack of three-point shooting hurt the Wolves. Minnesota attempted 15 three-pointers, making just four. With Kemba Walker going 6-for-9 on threes, the Hornets were a combined 12-for-30.
That's about all for now. Jerry will be with the team tomorrow.
