NBA: Timberwolves win in OT
NEW YORK (AFP) – The Minnesota Timberwolves edged the New York Knicks 95-92 in overtime on Thursday in a duel between the two worst teams in the NBA.
The outfits came into the contest with matching records of 14-53.
Zach LaVine made four free throws in the final 10.7 seconds of the extra session for the Timberwolves, who improved to 15-53.
The Knicks, who fell to 14-54, at least had the consolation of knowing that yet another defeat at least boosted their chances of a higher pick in the NBA draft.
Knicks coach Derek Fisher, whose team stunned reigning NBA champions San Antonio on Tuesday, nevertheless insisted he wanted his players to try to win.
”You can’t practice losing,” Fisher said. ”So if at any point you embrace losing, I don’t think that works out very well for you.”
Minnesota came into the contest reeling from a spate of injuries, only a last-minute acquisition giving them the eight players in uniform required by the league.
Half their roster, including veteran star Kevin Garnett, were sidelined. And with a special hardship dispensation from the league to give them an extra roster spot they inked Sean Kilpatrick from the Delaware 87ers of the Development League on Thursday.
