MINNEAPOLIS, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- Brook Lopez pushed Brooklyn to an 11-point halftime lead Wednesday and the Nets held on to defeat Minnesota 91-83.
It was the first victory for the Nets' franchise in Minnesota since 2002. Brooklyn won its third in a row and is 12-2 since P.J. Carlesimo became the team's interim coach.
Lopez scored 22 points along with seven rebounds while both Joe Johnson and Deron Williams had 18 for the Nets.
Minnesota closed within two points early in the fourth period, but the Timberwolves hurt their cause by converting just 3-of-15 from 3-point range.
The Timberwolves, who have dropped three straight, were led by 15 points from Andrei Kirilenko and 14 from Dane Cunningham.
Minnesota, struggling without the services of the injured Kevin Love, has lost seven of its last eight.
