Ex-Rockets assistant Finch takes over Timberwolves
MINNEAPOLIS — When the Minnesota Timberwolves decided again to change coaches, president of basketball operations Gersson Rosas turned to one of the candidates he interviewed during the last search.
The dossier on Chris Finch was still fresh. The last round of this came less than two years ago.
“I think the near-misses motivated me even more. Everything happens for a reason. This is a place I really want to be. This is place I wanted to be in 2019,” said Finch, who was introduced Monday as the 14th coach of the Timberwolves
in 32 seasons after less than three months as an assistant for Toronto.
Finch, 51, replaced Ryan Saunders, 34, who was fired Sunday night with a NBA-worst 7-24 record.
Finch worked as an assistant with the Rockets (2011-16) while Rosas was an executive. Finch also coached Rio Grande Valley to the 2010 G League title..
MAVS 102, GRIZZLIES 92
Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 20 of his 29 points while Dallas built a big first-half lead to return from a long break with a victory over visiting Memphis.
Dallas was playing for the first time in eight days after two postponements because of a wintry storm.
WIZARDS 127, LAKERS 124
Bradley Beal scored six of his 33 points on three consecutive possessions late in overtime, and visiting Washington extended its longest winning streak in three years to five straight with a victory over slumping Los Angeles.
The Wizards rallied from a 17-point deficit in the second half to hand the Lakers their fourth loss in five games.
JAZZ 132, HORNETS 110
Donovan Mitchell had 23 points and eight assists as host Utah enjoyed a record-breaking performance from long range.
Utah set a team mark for 3-pointers with 28, including 19 off the bench — the most by a team’s backups in NBA history, according to STATS.
SUNS 132, BLAZERS 100
Devin Booker scored 34 points as host Phoenix won its ninth in 10 games.
HEAT 108, THUNDER 94
Duncan Robinson scored 22 points and made six 3-pointers as Miami finished a 4-3 road trip.