Dragic, Green lead Suns past Timberwolves, 110-99

Posted January 15, 2015 10:00 pm

By BOB BAUM

Minnesota Timberwolves' Thaddeus Young, front right, shoots over Phoenix Suns' Alex Len during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) The Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) - Goran Dragic scored 21 points, Gerald Green added 19 and the Phoenix Suns sent the Minnesota Timberwolves back to their losing ways with a 110-99 victory on Friday night.

Mo Williams, after scoring a franchise-record 52 on Tuesday when the Timberwolves beat Indiana to snap a 15-game losing streak, scored 26 on 10-for-22 shooting against Phoenix.

Green got his 19 in 24 minutes after going scoreless in just eight minutes on the floor in the Suns' win over Cleveland on Wednesday night.

Eric Bledsoe added 16 and Brandan Wright 11 for the Suns, winners of five in a row at home and 2-0 on their franchise-record, eight-game homestand.

Anthony Wiggins scored 17 for Minnesota.

Phoenix led virtually the entire game but Minnesota stayed within striking distance until the Suns opened up a 16-point lead in the fourth quarter.

Overall, the Suns have won 12 of their last 16.

Minnesota has lost 16 of 17.

The Suns led nearly the entire first half and, after a 15-2 run, were shooting 60 percent and up 59-48. But Phoenix committed five turnovers and shot 1 for 6 over the final 3 minutes of the half and an 8-2 spurt cut the Suns' lead to 59-56 at the break.

Marcus Morris and Isaiah Thomas scored four apiece in an 11-1 run that gave Phoenix an 86-73 lead with 58 seconds left in the third quarter. It was 86-75 entering the fourth.

A pair of baskets by Green and a fast-break dunk from Wright put the Suns up 102-86 with 6:38 to go. Minnesota never got closer than nine again.

TIP-INS

Timberwolves: The Wolves are 3-16 on the road and 3-16 at home. ... Minnesota was without forward Shabazz Muhammad for the third straight game with a strained outer oblique. ... The Wolves made their first eight shots, then were 4 for 17 the rest of the first quarter.

Suns: Phoenix shot 55 percent. ... The Suns don't play a road game until Jan. 31 (at Golden State). ... Dragic scored 13 in the first quarter, six on rebound baskets. ... Eleven Suns players scored.

UP NEXT

Timberwolves: Visit Denver on Saturday.

Suns: Host the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.

Phoenix Suns' Markieff Morris (11) dunks over Minnesota Timberwolves' Anthony Bennett (24) as Robbie Hummel (4) looks on during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) The Associated Press

Minnesota Timberwolves' Gorgui Dieng (5), of Senegal, blocks the shot of Phoenix Suns' Goran Dragic (1), of Slovenia, during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Jan. 16, 2015, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Matt York) The Associated Press

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