The Timberwolves wrapped up the 2013 portion of their schedule with a 100-98 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night Target Center.
Minnesota (15-16) had a chance to tie or take the lead with the final shot of the game, but the referees missed an obvious foul on Shawn Marion, who hacked Kevin Love’s right arm as he went up for the final shot of the game.
No foul was called and Love’s attempt floated harmlessly into the air without having a chance to make it near the rim.
Rick Adelman on the final play "He got fouled." @NBA #twolves #mavs
— Alan Horton (@WolvesRadio) December 31, 2013
Rubio on what appeared to be KLove getting fouled on last play: "Referees can make mistakes like we do … It's hard to lose that way."
— Andy Greder (@twolvesnow) December 31, 2013
Marion fueled the Mavericks with 21 points in the first-half to help build a 19-point lead at the break. He finished with 32 in the game, and the best phantom block of the season.
A brutal first-half morphed into a dominant third quarter for the Wolves, who outscored Dallas 38-19 in the quarter.
Corey Brewer and Love took charge, combining for 27 of the 38 points. Brewer hit a pair of three-pointers and a long two-pointer – a good sign considering he had gone 2-25 on three-point attempts over the past eight games.
Love finished with 36 points and 11 rebounds for his league-leading 28th double-double of the season. Nikola Pekovic added 18 points and 10 rebounds for his 16th double-double.
The 19-point halftime deficit was suddenly a 81-81 tie to start the fourth quarter, which like most fourth quarters this year, wasn’t good for the Wolves. They were outscored 19-17.
It’s the 21st time in 31 games this season the Wolves have been outscored in the final frame.
Kevin Martin scored 19 points, Brewer finished with 16 points and Ricky Rubio had a game-high 13 assists.
Dirk Nowitzki was held to 17 points on 7-17 shooting.
