CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Kevin Love is playing so well this month he’s beginning to garner MVP consideration.

And rightfully so.

Sure, the Minnesota Timberwolves might be on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoff picture, but Love’s numbers are getting harder and harder to ignore.

Love had 40 points and 19 rebounds Wednesday night to lift the Minnesota Timberwolves to an 88-83 victory over the Charlotte Bobcats.

It was Love’s third-highest point total in March, and pushed his scoring average in 15 games in the month to 31.2.

Love has scored at least 20 points in 14 of his last 15 games and has 44 double-doubles on the season, including nine straight games.

Before the game, Bobcats coach Paul Silas said Love without question should be considered an MVP candidate and his opinion didn’t change after he dominated his young big men Bismack Biyombo and Byron Mullens.

“If he continues to do what he’s doing for a good portion of his career he’s going to be one of the best ever,” Silas said. “He’s just tenacious. That ball goes up and he’s there. And he’s strong… The young boys we have are not ready for that. So that makes it difficult.”

As for all of the MVP talk, Love said, “In some ways it’s warranted, but we need to win a lot more games in order to be anywhere close to that.”

Love said he feels like he’s worked hard on his conditioning to get where he is and he’s in a good groove when it comes to shooting the ball.

“I’m not stopping,” Love said. “I’m continuing to get better.”

Love got some needed help against the Bobcats.

Point guard Luke Ridnour had a season-high 14 assists and added 15 points for Minnesota, fighting to get into playoff contention in the Western Conference. Forward Anthony Tolliver added his first double-double of the season as well, with 11 points and 11 rebounds.