The Minnesota Timberwolves are expected to be one of the have-nots in the Western Conference again this season. Don't tell that to Portland coach Nate McMillan.
"You'd better be ready to play every game in our conference, or you're going to get beat," said McMillan, whose Trail Blazers play host to the Timberwolves Sunday night. The Blazers have had their way with Minnesota the last two seasons, going 8-0 during that span. This year's Wolves have been feisty, though, behind the talents of center Al Jefferson and rookie point guard Jonny Flynn, the latter averaging 14.8 points while shooting .513 from the field.
The Timberwolves started 1-5, but the record includes losses to Boston by two points, the L.A. Clippers by three points and Phoenix by eight points.
"They've got plenty of talent," Portland center Joel Przybilla said. "Jefferson is always a load to try to control."
TRAIL BLAZERS 96, SPURS 84: Portland jumped to a 29-14 lead after one quarter. San Antonio closed the margin to five points in the final minutes before the Blazers clinched the win and their first three-game winning streak over the Spurs since 1997. Though Portland had only 11 assists -- matching its season low for the 2008-09 season -- the Blazers held San Antonio to season lows for scoring and field goal percentage (.380).
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