Spurs ride big second half to beat Wolves, 104-86

The Minnesota Timberwolves are better than their record says they are, but if they want to make the playoffs, they have to be better in close games. Minnesota has battled some of the West’s top teams down to the wire, and it looked like they were in for another one of those games against San Antonio, but it didn’t play out that way in the second half.

The Wolves trailed 52-49 at the half, and they were hoping to get over .500 with a big win. The Spurs’ defense would lock down on the Wolves in the second half, and they showed the world that age is just a number. The Wolves were outscored 52-37 in the second half, and they only mustered up 15 points in the fourth quarter.

The Spurs had six players in double figures, and were led by Kawhi Leonard’s 17. They move to 29-8 on the season, and they are in prime position to lock up a top spot in the Western Conference seeding.

For the Wolves, this loss may leave them with more questions than answers. They are locked in to long term salary, and if they fail to make the playoffs this season, this team could be blown up. With Kevin Love calling out teammates and reports saying that he wants to be a Laker, could they trade Love before his contract is up in 2015? Time will tell, but they need to start executing late in games if they want to make the playoffs. The Wolves fall to 18-19 after the 104-86 loss to the Spurs on Sunday night.