The Orlando Magic showed Friday night why three-point shooting, considered a risky offensive strategy by some NBA coaches, is one of the reasons the team has the second-best record in the Eastern Conference.
Orlando (24-8) raised its league-leading made three-pointers to 335 after draining 15 against the Timberwolves to spark a 106-94 victory at Target Center.
The Magic, who shot 15 of 37 from three-point range Friday night, average 10.4 made three-pointers. Seventeen three-pointers is the season high for the Magic, who reached that milestone Nov. 1 at Toronto.
"We have a different philosophy on three-point shooting," Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy said. "Some people say we shoot too many threes and that style of play can't win championships. We happen to have the combination you need to be a good three-point shooting team...good shooters and a strong low-post presence."
The Magic have all-star center Dwight Howard (17.4 points, 13.3 rebounds, 2.52 blocked shots) to help open up opportunities for teammates.
Forward Rashard Lewis leads the Magic with 61 made three-pointers. Five other players have hit 40 or more, including Vince Carter (46), Michael Pietrus (50), Ryan Anderson (45), J.J. Redick (43) and Jason Williams (42).
Gomes remains a reserve: Wolves forward Ryan Gomes will have to adjust to coming off the bench for awhile — or at least until coach Kurt Rambis has a notion to make a lineup change.
Rambis has started Damien Wilkins at small forward since Gomes went down with a high left ankle sprain on Dec. 12 at Sacramento. Gomes had started the Wolves' first 24 games before the injury.
"I like the way we're going right now," Rambis said of staying with Wilkins.
Wilkins made his sixth consecutive start Friday night but struggled with two points on 1 for 9 shooting in 28 minutes. Gomes, who returned to the lineup for the Wolves' Dec. 26 game against Washington, had seven points on 3 for 8 shooting in 20 minutes. His best game since returning was against Utah on Wednesday when he had 11 points and two rebounds in 21 minutes.
Tucker still waiting: Guard Alando Tucker, acquired in a trade with Phoenix on Tuesday, was inactive Friday night. Rambis said Tucker needs more practice time.
Tucker is not expected to play in tonight's game at Indiana. He will have more practice opportunities next week with the Wolves home all next week.
Briefly: Wolves forward Kevin Love posted his 11th consecutive double-double with 17 points and 10 rebounds. His eight offensive rebounds was one shy of his single-game career-high.
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