Timberwolves coach Adelman missed the game for personal reasons, while Love is out indefinitely after re-injuring his right hand last week, but the home team still had enough beat the Hawks for the first time since April 2006.
25 points scored by Nikola Pekovic and had 18 rebounds; Andrei Kirilenko added 21 for Minnesota (16-15), who had lost 11 straight to the Hawks before Tuesday’s game.
“We were really motivated,” Pekovic said. “I think everyone wants to step up and show more.”
Josh Smith and Louis Williams each scored 21 for the Hawks (20-13), who have lost three straight.
“If this doesn’t change there’s going to have to be some changes, that are plain and simple,” said Hawks coach Larry Drew.