FIBA Basketball

    NBA – Who needs Garnett when you have the emerging Jefferson?

    MILWAUKEE (NBA) - If Minnesota fans cringed while watching their former star Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics win the NBA title last year, they may be feeling a little better now. Some of the players the Wolves got in the trade that sent Garnett to Boston - mainly big center Al Jefferson - are now making the Wolves look very ...

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    MILWAUKEE (NBA) - If Minnesota fans cringed while watching their former star Kevin Garnett and the Boston Celtics win the NBA title last year, they may be feeling a little better now.

    Some of the players the Wolves got in the trade that sent Garnett to Boston - mainly big center Al Jefferson - are now making the Wolves look very smart.

    Jefferson had 23 points and 10 rebounds as Minnesota prevailed 90-83 in Milwaukee on Monday night.

    The victory means that Minnesota are an NBA-best 10-2 in 2009.

    "Jefferson is one of the best low-post players in the game," Bucks guard Luke Ridnour said.

    "He gets the ball where he wants and he's tough to defend."

    The 6ft 10in Jefferson, who is just 24 years of age, is averaging 22.6 points and 10.60 rebounds per game this season.

    Another of the five players traded to Minnesota in the Garnett deal was Ryan Gomes, and he had 22 points and eight rebounds.

    Minnesota improved to 16-27 overall while dropping Milwaukee, who played without the injured Team USA sharpshooter Michael Redd, to 22-26.

    Portland are now 27-17 after their 113-88 drubbing of the Los Angeles Clippers (10-34).

    Other NBA results: Phoenix 103 Washington 87, Atlanta 79 Miami 95, Houston 98 New York 104, Philadelphia 86 New Orleans 101, New Jersey 85 Oklahoma City 94.

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