Spurzilla
12-16-2005, 02:24 PM
Finley lives up to Garnett's tout
The one who got away helps beat Wolves
Posted on Fri, December 16, 2005
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/13419687.htm)
Timberwolves all-star Kevin Garnett said this was why he recruited Michael Finley. Why he flew to Chicago this past summer with Wolves vice president Kevin McHale and coach Dwane Casey to talk with Finley.
Finley led San Antonio with 21 points, including a key three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, and the Spurs hung on for a 90-88 victory over the Wolves on Thursday night at Target Center. The Wolves, who have lost three consecutive games by a combined five points, couldn't overcome being outscored 25-8 in the second quarter.
Right after Troy Hudson missed a shot at the buzzer, Finley and Garnett sought out each other at midcourt. Finley hadn't talked to Garnett since he signed with the Spurs, after talking with the Wolves and other teams in late August in Chicago.
Finley told Garnett why he signed with San Antonio. He has said he joined the reigning NBA champions because they had the fewest unknowns, the best chance to win a championship.
"He just expressed his thanks for me reaching out to him and being honest with how I felt, and some more personal things," said Garnett, who had 24 points and 21 rebounds. "I have a lot of respect for the man."
The Wolves could have used Finley on their side Thursday.
Finley has been starting this week in place of injured Manu Ginobili, who didn't make the trip to Minnesota because of a sprained right foot. Finley made 7 of 13 shots.
With the Wolves trailing 84-80, Finley made a short jump shot with 2:48 left. After another Wolves basket, he made a three-pointer from the corner with 2:17 remaining, putting the Spurs ahead 89-82.
"Mike Finley was the go-to guy for Dallas for many years, way before Dirk (Nowitzki) was there," Garnett said. "He's hit big shots in his career. He hit not only one, but two big shots."
The Wolves (12-9) couldn't overcome Finley or the Spurs' 19-2 run in the second quarter. They scored 59 points in the second half, but it wasn't enough against the Spurs (18-4), who have the best record in the Western Conference.
"Our second quarter killed us," Wolves coach Dwane Casey said. "If we get anything at all in the second quarter, we're in tall cotton."
Minnesota had a chance to tie the score with Marko Jaric at the free-throw line and 5.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter. But Jaric missed the first of two free throws and made the second, leaving his team behind 89-88.
The Wolves were forced to foul, and Finley made one of two free throws with 5.2 seconds left.
With time running out, Hudson got the ball and raced toward the basket, but his 14-foot shot from the baseline was off-balance.
Minnesota fell to 3-7 in games decided by five points or fewer.
"It's definitely tough," Hudson said. "Most of the games we have lost this year have been close, competitive games. We need a couple of them to go our way for a change, but we competed."
The Wolves have been among the NBA's best teams at defending the three-pointer, but not this week. The Spurs finished 8 of 13 from behind the arc.
Tuesday night, Sacramento's Bonzi Wells hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer for a 93-91 victory over the Wolves. The Kings made 7 of 11 three-point attempts in that game.
Rick Alonzo can be reached at [email protected].
The one who got away helps beat Wolves
Posted on Fri, December 16, 2005
BY RICK ALONZO
Pioneer Press (http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/13419687.htm)
Timberwolves all-star Kevin Garnett said this was why he recruited Michael Finley. Why he flew to Chicago this past summer with Wolves vice president Kevin McHale and coach Dwane Casey to talk with Finley.
Finley led San Antonio with 21 points, including a key three-pointer late in the fourth quarter, and the Spurs hung on for a 90-88 victory over the Wolves on Thursday night at Target Center. The Wolves, who have lost three consecutive games by a combined five points, couldn't overcome being outscored 25-8 in the second quarter.
Right after Troy Hudson missed a shot at the buzzer, Finley and Garnett sought out each other at midcourt. Finley hadn't talked to Garnett since he signed with the Spurs, after talking with the Wolves and other teams in late August in Chicago.
Finley told Garnett why he signed with San Antonio. He has said he joined the reigning NBA champions because they had the fewest unknowns, the best chance to win a championship.
"He just expressed his thanks for me reaching out to him and being honest with how I felt, and some more personal things," said Garnett, who had 24 points and 21 rebounds. "I have a lot of respect for the man."
The Wolves could have used Finley on their side Thursday.
Finley has been starting this week in place of injured Manu Ginobili, who didn't make the trip to Minnesota because of a sprained right foot. Finley made 7 of 13 shots.
With the Wolves trailing 84-80, Finley made a short jump shot with 2:48 left. After another Wolves basket, he made a three-pointer from the corner with 2:17 remaining, putting the Spurs ahead 89-82.
"Mike Finley was the go-to guy for Dallas for many years, way before Dirk (Nowitzki) was there," Garnett said. "He's hit big shots in his career. He hit not only one, but two big shots."
The Wolves (12-9) couldn't overcome Finley or the Spurs' 19-2 run in the second quarter. They scored 59 points in the second half, but it wasn't enough against the Spurs (18-4), who have the best record in the Western Conference.
"Our second quarter killed us," Wolves coach Dwane Casey said. "If we get anything at all in the second quarter, we're in tall cotton."
Minnesota had a chance to tie the score with Marko Jaric at the free-throw line and 5.8 seconds left in the fourth quarter. But Jaric missed the first of two free throws and made the second, leaving his team behind 89-88.
The Wolves were forced to foul, and Finley made one of two free throws with 5.2 seconds left.
With time running out, Hudson got the ball and raced toward the basket, but his 14-foot shot from the baseline was off-balance.
Minnesota fell to 3-7 in games decided by five points or fewer.
"It's definitely tough," Hudson said. "Most of the games we have lost this year have been close, competitive games. We need a couple of them to go our way for a change, but we competed."
The Wolves have been among the NBA's best teams at defending the three-pointer, but not this week. The Spurs finished 8 of 13 from behind the arc.
Tuesday night, Sacramento's Bonzi Wells hit the game-winning three-pointer at the buzzer for a 93-91 victory over the Wolves. The Kings made 7 of 11 three-point attempts in that game.
Rick Alonzo can be reached at [email protected].