TOUGH LOVE

Kevin Love’s Minnesota Timberwolves debut got off to a rather inauspicious start against the Dallas Mavericks.

Love had four fouls and eight points, and the Mavericks led 48-30 at the half.

Looking aggressive on the boards — he boxed out well and moved around in the paint — Love managed five rebounds. He had an impressive five-second run midway through the second quarter, grabbing two consecutive offensive rebounds but failing to convert the basket before getting fouled.

MINNESOTA LOOKS OFFENSIVE

If Minnesota’s offense continues to look the way it did in the first half Monday, fans holding future Timberwolves tickets might want to trade them in.

Perhaps for a tooth pick.

Or a pack of gum.

Or a can of soda.

Minnesota’s offense wasn’t particularly anemic, but compared with the Mavericks, the Wolves could have used two basketballs.

They shot 36.7 percent in the first half -- Dallas shot 56.7 -- and had only two fast-break points.

CAN’T HOLD THE MAYO — OR THE ARTHUR

O.J. Mayo and Darrell Arthur have combined for 22 points as the Memphis Grizzlies claimed a 35-31 halftime lead over San Antonio at the Thomas & Mack Center.

Arthur has grabbed five rebounds, and Mayo is playing solid offensively, distributing the ball well despite one assist.