LOS ANGELES: The Minnesota Timberwolves recorded an emotional seasonopening victory on Wednesday by toppling Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers 112-111, just 72 hours after losing head coach Flip Saunders to cancer.
The two NBA league doormats from last year put on an exciting display as the Timberwolves rallied from a nine-point halftime deficit then forced Lakersguard Louis Williams to miss a potential game-winning shot at the buzzer.
Timberwolves point guard Ricky Rubio dedicated the thrilling win to Saunders, who died at aged 60 from Hodgkin's lymphoma on Sunday after a 17-year career that also saw him coach the Washington