For the second consecutive week, the Milwaukee Bucks were forced to face a rested team on the road in the second game of a back-to-back.
But just as they did in Brooklyn last week, the Bucks showed no signs of fatigue and were the stronger team in the fourth quarter Wednesday night in Minnesota. Milwaukee used a 16-1 fourth-quarter run to pull away for a 103-86 victory over the Timberwolves at Target Center.
After going 3-27 against teams from the Western Conference last season, Milwaukee improved to 3-0 against the West with its victory over Minnesota.
1 big moment: Following a five-point spurt by the Timberwolves that pulled Minnesota to within 84-83, Brandon Knight hit a 3-pointer with 6:43 left to put the Bucks up four.
The triple started the 16-1 run that put Milwaukee up 100-84 with 3:11 to play. Knight scored 13 of his 15 points during the decisive run, as the point guard overcame a tough first half to help the Bucks pull away from the Timberwolves.
2 top performers: Bucks center Larry Sanders followed up a strong performance against Detroit on Tuesday by scoring a season-high 15 points, seven rebounds and a season-high five blocked shots. Sanders had scored in double figures just twice this season prior to doing so against the Pistons and Timberwolves.
Timberwolves guard Corey Brewer tallied a season-high 19 points on 7 of 17 shooting to go along with six rebounds, three assists and three steals.
3 key stats: In the decisive fourth quarter, the Bucks held the Timberwolves to just 16 points on 6-of-20 shooting and forced five turnovers.
The Bucks hit 17 of their 18 free-throw attempts in the second half after going 0 for 1 from the charity stripe in the first two quarters. Milwaukee hit 13 of 14 free-throw attempts in the fourth quarter, while Minnesota missed nine free throws in the second half.
Led by Knight and Sanders with 15 points apiece, seven Bucks scored in double figures -- Giannis Antetokounmpo (13 points), Ersan Ilyasova (12 points), Jabari Parker (11 points), Khris Middleton (11 points) and O.J. Mayo (10 points).
Said: "We were a little lackluster with our energy. In the fourth quarter, we just stepped up the intensity defensively. We had high hands, forced some turnovers and were able to get some easy baskets on the other end." -- Knight
"I was just trying to play off (my teammates). These guys are so talented. They go in and the make the right decisions or get it up on the glass with good shots. I'm just trying to finish it off for them." -- Sanders
Seen: Wednesday's contest between the Bucks and Timberwolves marked the first game in NBA history in which four teenagers played. Not only did the four 19-year-olds play, but Antetokounmpo and Parker started for Milwaukee, while Andrew Wiggins and Zach LaVine started for Minnesota.
Following an 11-2 third-quarter run gave Minnesota a 58-55 lead, Bucks coach Jason Kidd called timeout with 8:10 on the clock and brought in five reserves for his five starters. The second unit was able to pick up Milwaukee's energy level and it carried over when the starters came back in.
Milwaukee was without reserve forward/center John Henson (sprained left foot) and reserve guard Nate Wolters (illness) on Wednesday. The shorthanded Timberwolves were missing guard Kevin Martin (fractured right wrist), center Nikola Pekovic (sprained right wrist), guard Ricky Rubio (sprained left ankle), center Ronny Turiaf (sore right hip) and guard Mo Williams (illness).
Next: The Bucks will spend Thanksgiving together in Detroit, attending the Lions and Bears game at Ford Field before having dinner together at the team hotel.
Milwaukee returns to the court Friday at the Palace at Auburn Hills, as the Bucks face the struggling Pistons for the third time this month and second time this week. A run of four games in five nights concludes Saturday when the Bucks host the Houston Rockets at the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
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