Minnesota Timberwolves Can’t Keep Up With Hot Indiana Pacers

The Minnesota Timberwolves have hit a two game losing slump Monday night when the lost the Indiana Pacers 98-84. The red hot Pacers are now 13-1 and are now at a perfect eight wins at home.

Nov 25, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Robbie Hummel (6) dribbles the ball with Indiana Pacers shooting guard Orlando Johnson (11) defending the play during the second quarter at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

George Hill scored a season-high 26 points, and Paul George had 11 of his 26 points during the decisive run Monday.

And the hottest team this season won this game the same way they’ve been winning all their games with the same formula– a strong defense.

The Timberwolves (8-8) shot just 32.6 percent from the field and was held to a season-low point total, their previous worst was 92 points at Cleveland.

Kevin Love was held with 20 points and 17 rebounds. While Kevin Martin and Nikola Pekovic each finished with 18 points respectably.

But Minnesota didn’t go down without a fight, they still managed to hold on most of the night — until George led the Pacers on a 14-2 run that turned a 66-65 deficit into a 79-70 lead.

It was a rough conclusion to a 10-game, 15-day stretch for the Wolves.

And after falling into a 20-6 deficit midway through the first quarter, Minnesota spent the rest of the night trying to play catch-up.

They finally tied the score again when Pekovic hit two free throws to make it 61-all with 4:53 left in the third quarter. Minnesota took the lead twice after that –but only for 22 seconds, and the second time was when Martin made three throws to give the Timberwolves a 66-65 edge with 3:09 to go in the quarter.

But that’s when George and the Pacers turned on their strong defense and switched it into high gear.

George drove to the basket, drawing a foul and made two free throws. He came up with a steal on the ensuing possession and came in for a windmill dunk to make it 69-66. When the Pacers missed their next shot, George came up with the loose ball again passed it to David West, who jogged in for a layup. West closed out the 8-0 portion of the run with a 6-foot runner to give Indiana a 73-66 lead in the final minute of the third quarter.

Then George opened the fourth quarter with two more baskets as the Pacers extended their lead to as much as 92-73 and Minnesota never got within double digits again.

Up next for the Wolves is the Denver Nuggets at the Target Center. You can watch on Fox Sports North Plus or listen at WCCO 830 AM Radio.