Minnesota’s Kevin Love grabbed 31 rebounds and scored 31 points, posting the NBA’s first “30-30” game in 28 years as the Timberwolves rallied to stun New York 112-103 on Friday.
Love reeled in 15 rebounds in the third period alone as the Timberwolves erased a 21-point deficit en route to victory.
Moses Malone was the last player to notch a “30-30” game, scoring 32 points with 38 rebounds for Houston against Seattle in 1982.
“It seemed like no matter what anybody did I was going to go and get those rebounds. I don’t know what to tell you,” Love said.
“I impressed myself,” he said. “I don’t even know what to say to be honest with you.”
Michael Beasley had 35 points and six rebounds for the Timberwolves, who won their second game in a row in dramatic style.
“Thirty years from now, I can say I was on the floor while history was being made,” Beasley said. “It’s great, and we got the win. Just an amazing thing to watch and be a part of.”
Danilo Gallinari scored 25 points, but only seven in the second half for the Knicks, who lost their fourth straight.
Minnesota trailed by 21 points early in the third quarter when Love took control. He scored 11 points and grabbed 15 of Minnesota’s 23 rebounds in the period.
With Amare Stoudemire in foul trouble throughout the game and Ronny Turiaf sidelined by a sprained left knee, the Knicks had no answer.
The Timberwolves launched the fourth quarter with a 10-0 scoring run, taking a 90-87 lead on Corey Brewer’s three-pointer.
Love capped his historic night with a three-pointer from the top of the key and received a thunderous ovation when he left the game in the final two minutes.
Jazz 90, Hawks 86
In Atlanta, Georgia, Utah -recovered from a double-digit deficit for the fourth consecutive game, this time leaving Atlanta stunned.
Atlanta led 74-63 with 36 seconds gone in the fourth quarter before the Jazz put together a 15-4 run to tie it and Paul Millsap hit a corner jumper with 1 minute, 20 seconds to play to put Utah in front.
The Hawks have lost four straight, including three at home, after winning their first six.
Deron Williams led the Jazz with 24 points and 10 assists. Joe Johnson had 23 points for Atlanta.
Raptors 110, Magic 106
In Orlando, Florida, Toronto snapped a six-game losing skid by edging Orlando.
Sonny Weems made a three-pointer with 7.1 seconds left and Toronto hit four free-throws from there to seal it.
Andrea Bargnani led the Raptors with 27 points, but it was Weems and DeMar DeRozan who made the key plays that ended Toronto’s skid.
DeRozan finished with 26 points, 11 in the fourth quarter.
Dwight Howard had 25 points and eight rebounds for the Magic.
Bobcats 93, Wizards 85
In Washington, Gerald Wallace had 25 points and 14 rebounds to lead Charlotte over Washington.
Boris Diaw added 19 points for the Bobcats.
Andray Blatche scored 22 points for the Wizards.
Pistons 113, Clippers 107, OT
In Los Angeles, Detroit used a 9-0 run in overtime to beat Los Angeles.
Reserve Charlie Villanueva scored 30 points, while Austin Daye and Richard Hamilton added 12 points apiece for Detroit, who picked up their first road win in five tries this season.
The Pistons hit 11 of 18 from three-point range, lead by Villanueva’s five.
Eric Gordon scored 28 points for undermanned Los Angeles, who dropped to 1-9 for the second time in three seasons.
Suns 103, Kings 89
In Phoenix, Arizona, Steve Nash had 28 points, 14 assists and even seven rebounds on the day his first son was born, as Phoenix won at home against Sacramento for the 10th straight time.
The 36-year-old two-time league MVP made 11 of his first 12 shots and finished 13 for 18.
Hakim Warrick added 18 points for the Suns, most of them on feeds from Nash.
Tyreke Evans had 18 points, nine assists and seven rebounds for the Kings, who lost their fourth in a row.
In Friday’s other action, it was:
‧ Rockets 102, Pacers 99
‧ Mavericks 99, 76ers 90
‧ Thunder 110, Trail Blazers 108
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