MINNEAPOLIS — This was not a typical NBA bottom feeder, Timberwolves coach Chris Finch said, hours before the Wolves hosted the Orlando Magic on Friday at Target Center
Much improved, he said. Long, lean. Athletic, 15-12 in their last 27.
OK.
But the Magic had lost three of four, were on the third game of a four-game road trip. They entered the game with 20 wins.
So of course the Magic out-hustled, out-rebounded, out-scored and — perhaps — out-punched Minnesota in a 127-120 victory.
On an otherwise listless night, a melee erupted with 1:32 left in the third quarter with Austin Rivers near the Orlando bench. There was taunting, then Mo Bamba came off the bench and started things, with Jalen Suggs — the former Minnesota high school star — throwing Rivers to the ground. And it was on. After review, Suggs and Bamba were ejected for Orlando (21-31), Rivers, Taurean Prince and Jaden McDaniels — who pushed Bamba in the back — for the Wolves.
Already down 10 at that point, the Wolves (28-27) never fully recovered. The Magic built a 22-point lead early in the fourth. The Wolves, led by D'Angelo Russell (15 fourth-quarter points) helped rally and the team pulled to within six on Luka Garza's 3-pointer with 19.5 seconds left.
Seven Orlando players scored in double figures, with four coming off the bench. The Magic turned 12 offensive rebounds into 28 second-chance points.
Russell finished with 29 points. Anthony Edwards had 19 for the Wolves.
