Minneapolis, MN (Sports Network) - Amare Stoudemire poured in 30 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, as the Phoenix Suns fended off the lowly Minnesota Timberwolves, 111-105.
Lowly T’Wolves Drop 16th Straight, Lose To Suns
Channing Frye added 17 points and six rebounds off the bench for the Suns, who have won a season-high seven straight games and sit fifth in the Western Conference, a half-game behind Utah and Denver.
Leandro Barbosa finished with 16 points, while Steve Nash had 14 points and 11 assists for the victors.
Kevin Love chipped in 23 points and a career-high 22 rebounds for the Timberwolves, who matched a franchise-record with their 16th consecutive defeat. Minnesota has had a skid of similar length just twice before in its history -- April 8 - November 12, 1994 and in a single season from February 29 - March 29, 1993.
Al Jefferson had 19 points and 16 boards, while Ryan Gomes added 16 points in defeat.
Trailing 70-49 early in the third, Minnesota went on a 12-1 run to get within 71-61 on Jefferson's running layup with six minutes to go. The deficit was down to eight, 78-70, on Wayne Ellington's jumper with less than three minutes remaining. Phoenix led 83-75 heading to the fourth.
Ellington’s jumper had the Timberwolves within one, 89-88, with 8 1/2 minutes to play in the contest. However, the Suns responded with a 13-6 burst to gain some breathing room. Stoudemire’s two free throws made it a 102-94 game with over five minutes left.
Minnesota never got closer than five the rest of the way.
The Suns led 26-25 following a tight first quarter and took control in the second, a period in which the visitors outscored Minnesota, 40-19.
Phoenix made three straight three-pointers to begin the second -- two from Frye and one from Jared Dudley. Just moments later, the Suns ripped off 12 consecutive points. Barbosa had the first 10 points of the surge, which Louis Amundson ended with a tip-in for a 49-29 margin with 7:19 remaining.
Stoudemire’s deuce had the Suns in front 60-35 with three minutes left. The score was 66-44 at the half.
The Suns have won five straight against the Wolves...Phoenix made 48.8 percent of its shots, while Minnesota shot 39.4 percent from the field...The Suns went 10-of-27 from three-point range, while the Timberwolves went 4-of-16 from beyond the arc.
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