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Sports

T'Wolves close Florida tour in Orlando

By Sports Network
Published | Updated

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Minnesota Timberwolves shoot for a third straight win when they close out a tour of Florida with Saturday's matchup with the Orlando Magic at Amway Center.

The Timberwolves have won back-to-back games after coming up short in five of the previous seven and are coming off Friday's 122-121 double-overtime victory against the two-time defending champion Miami Heat.

A full 48 minutes and overtime weren't enough to settle this one and Minnesota squeezed by with a 13-12 scoring advantage in the second OT. Corey Brewer sank the winning free throw with 1.8 seconds remaining and Wolves All-Star Kevin Love posted 28 points and 11 rebounds. Love also got pressure on Heat sharpshooter Ray Allen on a desperation attempt.

"Playing on the road and playing here is very tough," Love said. "They're gearing up for the playoffs. Their fans are really getting into it. This was really good for us tonight."

Chase Budinger scored 24 points off the bench and Ricky Rubio chipped in 13 and 14 assists for the Timberwolves.

Minnesota is 16-22 on the road and will start its final homestand next week versus San Antonio, Chicago and Houston -- all playoff teams. Most of the Wolves' last few games have come against playoff-caliber teams, including the Brooklyn Nets, Los Angeles Clippers and Memphis Grizzlies.

Wolves guard Kevin Martin did not play against the Heat because of a sore foot and center Nikola Pekovic is still nursing an ankle problem.

Orlando will play its next three games at home versus Minnesota, Brooklyn and Washington, and is coming off Friday's 91-80 road loss to Charlotte.

Victor Oladipo scored 21 points off the bench, Tobias Harris added 15 and Jameer Nelson contributed 11 points and seven assists for the Magic, losers in three straight and 12 of the last 14 games.

"We continued to fight," said Magic coach Jacque Vaughn. "Guys stepped up and there was great experience for some guys who don't normally get a chance to play."

The Magic are just 17-20 as the host this season and suffered a 120-115 overtime loss at Minnesota on Oct. 30. Love had 31 points and 17 rebounds, including a late 3-pointer that sent the game to overtime for the Wolves, who have won two of the last three meetings between the teams.

Orlando is still 8-2 in the past 10 games in this series and unbeaten in five straight encounters with Minnesota at Amway Center.