MINNEAPOLIS, Dec. 15 (UPI) -- Nikola Pekovic scored 21 points and Ricky Rubio handed out nine assists in his season debut Saturday, giving Minnesota a 114-106 overtime win over Dallas.
Pekovic also grabbed nine rebounds and Alexey Shved supplied 18 points with six assists for the Timberwolves, who took a fourth straight victory despite being without all-star Kevin Love, who turned up with flu-like symptoms Saturday after injuring his right thumb late in the Wolves' win over New Orleans Friday.
Rubio made his long-anticipated return after suffering a torn knee ligament last March, finishing with eight points in 18 minutes of action.
Derrick Williams (16 points, six rebounds), Luke Ridnour (15 points), Andrei Kirilenko (14, 10 boards) and J.J. Barea (14 points) also played big roles in Minnesota's win.
The Mavericks, meanwhile, dropped their third straight despite 20 points apiece from O.J. Mayo and Derek Fisher.
