Ball scores 34 as Timberwolves beat Bucks 112-100

Detroit Lakes, MN (KDLM) – LaMelo Ball scored 34 points to lead the Timberwolves past the Milwaukee Bucks 112-100 Monday night at Target Center.

Ball, who came to Minnesota in an offseason trade with Charlotte, hit 12 of 21 shots, including six 3-pointers, and grabbed six rebounds. Jaden McDaniels added 13 points and Trey Lyles had 12. Rudy Gobert finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds, while Bones Hyland also scored 10.

Minnesota jumped out to a 29-18 lead after one quarter, but Milwaukee won the second 29-19 to pull within 48-47 at halftime. The Timberwolves took an 80-76 lead into the fourth and outscored the Bucks 32-24 from there, building a lead of as many as 15 points.

Turnovers helped the Timberwolves separate. Milwaukee gave the ball away 17 times, leading to 20 Minnesota points. Jonathan Kuminga anchored the defense with 10 rebounds and four blocks to go with eight points.

Tyler Herro led the Bucks with 21 points, and Jaime Jaquez Jr. scored 19. Myles Turner had 13 points and five blocks, and AJ Green scored 13 on four 3-pointers. Milwaukee shot just over 38% from the field.

Minnesota has won two of its last three and improved to 5-3. The Timberwolves visit the Houston Rockets, who lead the Western Conference at 7-1, Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Milwaukee has dropped three straight and fell to 1-6. The Bucks visit the Boston Celtics Wednesday at 6:30 p.m.