Timberwolves 93, Wizards 72: Kevin Love, Ricky Rubio shine in sending Washington to 0-8

Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio, right, shoots after getting by Wizards shooting guard Jordan Crawford during Minnesota's 93-72 win at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C., Sunday, January 8, 2012. (Harry E. Walker/MCT)

WASHINGTON - There's no telling how different the Washington Wizards would be if they had drafted Ricky Rubio when they had the chance. Surely, they couldn't be any worse than they are now: a winless team running out of ways to express its humiliation.

Rubio and Kevin Love controlled the game Sunday, a 93-72 Timberwolves win, while the Wizards were showered with boos during a 12-point fourth quarter as they dropped to 0-8.

"There's really not much to say," Washington coach Flip Saunders said. "Disappointment. Embarrassment. I don't know if words can explain. My job over the next two days is to try to find five guys who can play the right way and can play with some heart. ... It was bad to watch. It was bad to coach. It was bad to play."

The Timberwolves selected Rubio with the No. 5 overall pick in 2009, a selection they acquired from the Wizards for guards Randy Foye and Mike Miller. Foye and Miller are long gone from Washington, while Minnesota waited patiently for Rubio to play two more years in Spain before making his impact as a rookie this season.

Rubio had 13 points, a career-high 14 assists - one fewer than the entire Wizards team - and six rebounds, controlling the game during much of his 30 minutes off the bench. He entered with 1:30 remaining in the first quarter and quickly hit a 22-foot jump shot to start a 17-2 run that gave Minnesota the lead for good.

"We're happy to have him now," said Love, who had 20 points and 16 rebounds. "Today's

just an example of how good he is - and how good he can be. Who's to say? He's still working on his jump shot. He's still working on his game."

The Timberwolves (3-5) opened their first set of three games in three days without forward Michael Beasley, who will miss all three after spraining his right foot during Friday night's loss to Cleveland.

Nick Young and Trevor Booker scored 14 points apiece to lead the Wizards, who extended their franchise-worst start to a season by scoring their fewest points since Feb. 21, 2009. Washington has lost four games by 18 points or more.

John Wall again struggled with his shot, going 3 for 10 from the field - and that included two dunks.

Rubio said the scouting on the Wizards was that "they play a lot of one-on-one." He might be a rookie, but he knows what's he talking about.

"We tend to panic when we get down by seven to nine points," forward Andray Blatche said, "and everybody wants to be the guy to get those nine points back."

Wizards owner Ted Leonsis took it all in from his front-row seat, and there are inevitable questions as to how long he or team president Ernie Grunfeld can wait before making a change. Saunders wants the players to re-examine their approach, and he plans to do the same.

"I'm going to go home tonight and I'm going to say as a coach, 'What can I do to get us better?' Because, evidently right now, I haven't done a good enough job," Saunders said. "Because we're not totally getting through to some guys."

Briefly: With Beasley out, Wesley Johnson started at forward for the Wolves, and Wayne Ellington moved into the starting lineup at guard.

-- Guard J.J. Barea sat out for the fifth time in six games because of a strained left hamstring.

Source: http://www.twincities.com/ci_19700725?source=rss_viewed

sticks and stones top chef powerball winner powerball winner narwhals narwhals gmail app