LOS ANGELES – If ever there was a team win for the Timberwolves this season, Thursday night was it in a twisting and turning 120-105 victory over the Lakers at the Staples Center.
The Wolves were down two point guards entering the night — then they lost a third when Derrick Rose exited because of a right ankle injury. Interim head coach Ryan Saunders reached deep into his bench and pulled out little used Luol Deng and rookie Jared Terrell, while relying on Jerryd Bayless to play heavy minutes with Rose out.
Imagine, if you can, those three unlikely names playing an important contribution in a Wolves victory in late January.