Timberwolves Can't Hold Early Lead In Home Opener Loss

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Damian Lillard had 34 points and seven assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers beat Minnesota 106-101 on Monday night after the Timberwolves honored fallen coach Flip Saunders with an emotional pregame tribute.

Lillard made 14 of 25 shots, C.J. McCollum scored 18 points and Al-Farouq Aminu had 17 points and nine rebounds for Portland, which trailed by 17 points in the first quarter after an inspired start by Minnesota.

Kevin Martin scored 24 points and Ricky Rubio had 12 points, nine assists and nine rebounds for the Timberwolves two days after they attended Saunders' funeral. They whittled a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to three with 10 seconds to play. But Martin was stripped while trying to shoot a 3 and the Blazers hung on.

The game started 30 minutes late due to the pregame memorial service for Saunders, the president of basketball operations, coach and minority owner who died on Oct. 25 after complications with Hodgkins lymphoma. He was laid to rest during a private funeral on Saturday, so Monday night was the first chance most Minnesota fans had to pay their respects.

Tears were shed and prayers were offered for Saunders in a touching tribute video.

If the Wolves were overcome with emotion, they didn't show it early. They jumped to an 8-1 lead and led by 17 points in the first quarter, with Rubio orchestrating the offense and everyone not named Lillard struggling to find their shot.

Lillard has been reluctant to dominate the ball too much early this season, preferring to help a young and revamped Blazers roster without LaMarcus Aldridge, Wesley Matthews and Nic Batum find its bearings. That restraint resulted in a couple of ugly losses to Phoenix, and he was more aggressive against the Wolves.

His pull-up 3 in transition gave the Blazers a 10-point lead with 5:39 to play, but Minnesota ripped off a 12-4 run to pull within two with 90 seconds to play.

The Wolves appeared to tie the game on a putback by Andrew Wiggins with 54.5 seconds to play, but it was ruled offensive goaltending.

TIP-INS

Trail Blazers: Coach Terry Stotts knew Saunders going back more than 20 years to their days in the CBA. "The fact that Flip and I go back to those days 25 years ago and there's a special place for anyone who was in the CBA at that time and went on to have a career like he had," Stotts said. ... The Blazers outscored Minnesota 24-6 in second-chance points.

Timberwolves: Kevin Garnett got an early hook less than two minutes into the second half and had his left leg examined on the bench. But he was able to return in the fourth. He went scoreless with just one rebound in 17 minutes. ... The normally outstanding free throw shooter Martin missed three shots at the line.

FLIP TRIBUTE

The 15-minute pregame program was beautifully done. The video included appearances by Commissioner Adam Silver, Larry Bird, Pat Riley, Phil Jackson, Gregg Popovich, Chauncey Billups and every one of the Timberwolves, except for Garnett. KG wanted to participate, but was too overcome with emotion to speak on camera. One of the most memorable moments was when a teary Wolves GM Milt Newton recalled how Saunders would tell him that he loved him. "I love you, too," Newton said. "Rest in peace."

UP NEXT

Trail Blazers: Visit Utah on Wednesday.

Timberwolves: Host Heat on Thursday.

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