By Chad Courrier
MANKATO — Kevin Love and Al Jefferson aren’t the tallest inside duo in the NBA, but in this new offense, with more flow and pace, they can certainly be effective.
“We do things that 7-footers don’t do,” Love said. “You know big Al can score. We can play together.”
Love had 17 points and 13 rebounds, and Jefferson added 14 points in just the first half as the Minnesota Timberwolves defeated Milwaukee 117-103 on Sunday night, making a winner out of coach Kurt Rambis in his preseason debut.
“It’s about what I expected,” Rambis said. “We did a lot of good things, and we did a lot of poor things.
“We had way too many turnovers, and we forced the action too much, but I’m asking these players to expand their games. They’re doing things they’ve never done, and that leads to turnovers.”
The game was played with replacement officials, who called 73 fouls that resulted in 94 free throws. The Timberwolves were 50 of 56 at the line, while the Bucks were 26 of 38.
Love had six points and four rebounds in the first three minutes as the Timberwolves, who never trailed, jumped ahead 12-2. He finished with 13 rebounds in 21 minutes, and he made 6 of 9 field goals, including 1 of 2 from 3-point range.
Jefferson, who missed the final 32 games of last season with a torn ACL, scored 14 points on 6 of 8 shooting before sitting out the second half to rest his knee.
“We’re thankful they got Al out of there,” Bucks coach Scott Skiles said. “If he and Kevin would have played most of the time, we probably would have got beat by 50.”
Ryan Gomes added 13 points and 10 boards for the Timberwolves, and Sasha Pavlovic scored 15 points as six players scored in double figures.
Rookie point guard Jonny Flynn had 14 points — all from the free-throw line. He also had seven assists and three turnovers.
“He has to continue to learn how to read situations and understand the offense,” Rambis said. “I know he can run the pick-and-roll; he’s terrific with that. He has to make sure he gets his teammates involved.”
Flynn, the No. 6 pick in the first round of June’s draft, said he gave himself a good grade for his debut.
“It was my first real NBA game,” Flynn said. “I was so anxious so I didn’t want to try to force something to happen. I tried to hold back my emotions, and I think I did.”
Rambis wasn’t celebrating his first victory, instead looking ahead to the next three weeks before the regular season begins.
“This is what I’ve been working toward for several years,” he said. This is what I want to do; it’s a great opportunity. It was a lot of fun.”
