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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – Kevin Garnett is looking forward to leading Minnesota into the playoffs, one victory at a time.
|  | | LaPhonso Ellis of the Timberwolves tries to rip a rebound away from Raef LaFrentz. |
Garnett had 30 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists as the
Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 101-90 Friday night,
strengthening their position in the Western Conference.
"I don't even know the schedule, I don't even look at the standings," said Garnett after Minnesota won its third straight game. "I focus on what's in front me."
Terrell Brandon added 15 points for Minnesota, which won a season-high seventh straight home game. The Timberwolves tied a franchise record with their 26th home victory and set a club record with just four turnovers.
Minnesota is in eighth place in the Western Conference, three
games ahead of idle Houston.
"You have to leave everything out there," said Garnett, who
recorded his 48th double-double by the end of the first half.
"There ain't nothing to take home with you."
That mindset is something that Garnett says he learned from
teammate Sam Mitchell, who scored 16 points.
"We're going downhill now and Mitch has been my teacher since
I've been here," Garnett said. "He's setting an example, he's
giving everything he has."
Antonio McDyess had 17 points and 13 rebounds for the Nuggets,
who have lost 10 of their last 11 road games. George McCloud added
18 points for Denver, which is 8-25 on the road.
Nick Van Exel received two straight technicals, and was ejected
late in the third quarter for arguing a call with referee Dee
Kantner. Van Exel was restrained by McDyess as he attempted to go
back at Kantner, and he yelled an expletive at Kantner before
leaving the court.
"I probably deserved the technicals, but I probably deserved to
have a foul called too," said Van Exel, who scored six points.
"She was making calls all night for them like that.
"I should have stayed quiet and played through it."
McDyess and Raef LaFrentz each received a technical in the
fourth quarter.
"I'm not going to say anything about the officiating, I'm smart enough to know that," coach Dan Issel said. "But, techs didn't make the difference. You can't shoot 36 percent and beat a team like Minnesota."
Leading 68-65, Minnesota started the fourth quarter with a 17-8
run behind Mitchell's eight points. A dunk by LaPhonso Ellis, off a
feed from Mitchell, gave the Timberwolves their biggest lead,
85-73, with 7:25 remaining.
Denver did not get closer than seven the rest of the way.
The teams shot a combined 6-for-26 in the first six minutes. The
Timberwolves found their range and finished the first quarter with
a 15-3 run for a 21-13 lead.
Denver went on a 19-10 run at the start of the second and took a
one-point lead at the 5:33 mark.
Garnett countered with eight unanswered points, the last two
coming on a hard-driving dunk over LaFrentz.
Garnett finished the half with 20 points and 10 rebounds, and
the Wolves led 43-40 at the break.
"When you think about how hard the guy plays night in and night
out, and the pressure he accepts, it's phenomenal," Minnesota
coach Flip Saunders said of Garnett. "It's really fun to watch."
Minnesota maintained its three-point lead in the third quarter.
Wally Szczerbiak had 12 points and nine rebounds for Minnesota, and Ellis added 14 points. Brandon also had eight assists and five rebounds.
Game notes
Minnesota starter Anthony Peeler left the game in the first
quarter with a sprained left ankle and did not return. Peeler was
wearing a brace afterward, and Saunders said he doubted Peeler
would be ready for Sunday's game against New Jersey... The Wolves
were 26-15 at home in both 1997-98 and 1999-2000. ... Garnett shot
8-for-13 in the first half, while the rest of Minnesota's starters
shot 2-for-17. ... Minnesota and Denver split the four-game season
series. ... Since joining the NBA in 1976, Denver has never posted
a winning record on the road.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Denver Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
Indiana 95
Vancouver 75
Toronto 112
Atlanta 86
New Jersey 95
New York 86
Minnesota 101
Denver 90
Chicago 93
Charlotte 90
Milwaukee 115
Orlando 103
Phoenix 84
Philadelphia 71
LA Lakers 104
Washington 91
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