Knicks eager to face Love, T-Wolves again
The Minnesota Timberwolves' Kevin Love pulls down one of his 14 first-half rebounds against the Golden State Warriors. (Nov. 27, 2010) Credit: MCT
TORONTO - Kevin Love's monster game on Nov. 12 is a bitter memory that still is on the minds of the Knicks as they host the Timberwolves Monday night at the Garden.
Love had 31 points and 31 rebounds for the NBA's first 30-30 performance in 28 years as the Knicks blew a 21-point second-half lead in a 112-103 loss in Minnesota. It was the fourth defeat in what became a six-game losing streak.
"It's definitely a game we're looking forward to," Raymond Felton said of the rematch. "Definitely a game we'll be ready for, no question about that."
Amar'e Stoudemire has put up huge numbers the last 10 games to lead the Knicks to a 9-1 run, including 31 points and 16 rebounds in yesterday's 116-99 win over the Raptors. But with Stoudemire moved to center in the absence of Ronny Turiaf (sore knee), opposing power forwards have had strong games against the smaller Knicks lineup.
The Knicks were without Turiaf then, too, but Mike D'Antoni said Turiaf, who has missed the last four games, could be available Monday night. It would give Stoudemire some reinforcement to bang with Love and control the boards.
Love, who had 28 points and 19 rebounds Saturday night as the Timberwolves beat the Cavaliers, 129-95, has been on quite a tear himself in the last five games. He is averaging 23.6 points and an incredible 19.2 rebounds.
Stoudemire had a reason for Love's big game against the Knicks: his own foul trouble. Stoudemire picked up his fourth foul early in the second half and his fifth with 3:31 left in the game.
"If I don't get into foul trouble," Stoudemire said, "it's a totally different game."
