EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Dec. 23 (UPI) -- Damien Wilkins hit two free throws with 17 seconds remaining Wednesday to wrap up a 103-99 win for Minnesota over New Jersey.
In a meeting of the teams with the worst records in the NBA, Al Jefferson scored 12 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter in helping the Timberwolves build a nine-point lead.
New Jersey rallied to tie it, but Wilkins put Minnesota in front by four with his foul shots and Yi Jianlian missed a jumper for the Nets with 8 seconds left to end their hopes for another comeback.
New Jersey has won just twice all season and Minnesota's triumph was only its sixth. The Timberwolves opened the season with a victory over the Nets and then lost their next 15 games.
Wednesday's loss was the eighth straight for New Jersey.
Jonny Flynn added 22 points for Minnesota and Kevin Love had 13 points and 16 rebounds. Yi led the Nets with 22 points. It was his first action since Nov. 2, when he suffered a sprained knee ligament.
