Nikola Pekovic, Chase Budinger help lift Wolves in preseason opener

FARGO, N.D. -- Nikola Pekovic and Chase Budinger had 14 points apiece, and Brandon Roy added 13 points on Wednesday night as the Minnesota Timberwolves opened the preseason with an 84-70 victory over the Indiana Pacers at the Fargo Dome.

Three of the Wolves' five starters finished in double figures, with Kevin Love adding 12 points and a team-high eight rebounds in 27 minutes. Andrei Kirilenko, whom the Wolves signed during the offseason after he spent last year playing in Moscow, had three points in 27 minutes.

Budinger and Roy also were added in the offseason.

The Wolves led after every quarter and finished with a 42-39 advantage on the boards. The Wolves' biggest lead was 20 points, with less a minute left in the third quarter.

Guards J.J. Barea and rookie Alexey Shved led the Wolves with four assists apiece.

Paul George was the only Indiana player who scored in double figures. He finished with 16 points. The Pacers were saddled with 35 percent shooting from the field.