Taj Gibson, Jimmy Butler rally Wolves past Lakers

MINNEAPOLIS – Taj Gibson scored a season-high 28 points and Jimmy Butler added 24, providing the Minnesota Timberwolves with the production and energy for a 119-111 comeback victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Thursday night.

Jeff Teague pitched in 20 points and Jamal Crawford added 15 for the Timberwolves, who rallied from a deficit as large as 15 points in the second quarter and 12 points late in the third to raise their home record to 24-7 on an emotional evening that started with a tribute to former coach and executive Flip Saunders.

Julius Randle had 23 points and nine rebounds for the Lakers before fouling out, and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and Brandon Ingram each scored 17 points.

In the only other game before the All-Star break, Denver subdued Milwaukee, 134-123, in a high-scoring game to improve to 32-26 while dealing the Bucks their 25th loss against 32 victories.