Al Jefferson Leads Bobcats Past T-Wolves

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Al Jefferson had 25 points and 16 rebounds, and the Charlotte Bobcats defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-93 on Friday night for their eighth straight victory at home.

Jefferson set a single-season franchise record with his 20th 20-point, 10-rebound game of the season.

The Bobcats, currently the seventh seed in the Eastern Conference, came in averaging 103.9 points and shooting 47 percent in their last seven homes games. They shot 48 percent against the Timberwolves.

Gary Neal, benched Wednesday for an "internal team matter," returned and provided a huge lift off the bench with 19 points on 6-of-10 shooting.

Charlotte led by as many as 18 points in the second half and the Timberwolves were never able to get the lead under double-digits after the break.

Kevin Martin had 19 points to lead Minnesota.