NBA: Williams’ 52 points helps Timberwolves snap skid

By: 10 years ago

Minnesota Timberwolves’ Mo Williams (center). AP FILE PHOTO

INDIANAPOLIS, United States – Mo Williams scored a career-high 52 points on Tuesday to power Minnesota to a 110-101 victory over Indiana, ending the Timberwolves’ 15-game NBA losing streak.

Williams scored 37 points in the second half — 16 in the third quarter and 21 in the fourth — setting a Timberwolves record for points in a game and a record for a visiting player at the Pacers’ Bankers Life Fieldhouse arena.

Williams made 19 of 33 shots and connected on six of 11 from three-point range as the Timberwolves ended a losing streak that had come within three of tying the longest in club history.

“He was in a ridiculous zone,” Pacers coach Frank Vogel said of Williams. “Sometimes players get into ridiculous zones.”

The Timberwolves hadn’t won since a December 10 at-home triumph against Portland, and hadn’t scored a victory on the road since a November 28 win against the Lakers in Los Angeles.

Andrew Wiggins added 20 points, Thaddeus Young had 11 and Gorgui Dieng contributed 10 points and 10 rebounds in the win.

C.J. Miles led the Pacers with 22 points and C.J. Watson added 17 for Indiana, who lost their second straight.

Williams’ previous career high was 44, achieved playing for Cleveland on February 11, 2009.

He broke the Minnesota club record of 51, set by Kevin Love and later matched by Corey Brewer and he surpassed the prior season-best of 46 points achieved by both Carmelo Anthony and Pau Gasol.