Rudy Gay scored 33 points including a huge clutch three in the final minute to lead the Kings to the road victory.
That was way closer than necessary.
The Kings were up 102 to 91 with just over three minutes left to go, but careless mistakes and terrible time management allowed the Wolves to come back and have a good chance of winning or at least sending the game to OT. Fortunately, Rudy Gay hit a huge three in the final minute, the Kings hit their free throws, and J.J. Barea's deep three to tie at the buzzer was well short.
Gay was the star of the night for Sacramento, scoring 33 points on 12-19 shooting to go with 6 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. Isaiah Thomas and DeMarcus Cousins combined for 46 points themselves, although they also committed 12 of the Kings 19 turnovers.
Kevin Love led the Timberwolves with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 5 assists. Love hit two huge threes of his own down the stretch to help whittle the Kings lead down. Five other Timberwolves scored in double digits.
Derrick Williams had a great game in his first visit to the Target Center as a visitor. Williams scored 16 points off the bench on 7-11 shooting to go with 5 rebounds and 2 assists.
The Kings are now 1-1 on this road trip and get a day off before visiting Rudy Gay's old team, the Memphis Grizzlies, on Friday.
For the opponent's perspective, visit the excellent Canis Hoopus.