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Thursday, Jan. 13 8:00pm ET
T-Wolves bury Celtics in third quarter | |||||
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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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 GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- The Minnesota Timberwolves kept their hot streak going by applying a lesson from their previous losing streak. Kevin Garnett scored 11 of his 19 points during a decisive third-quarter run as the Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Boston Celtics 103-85 Thursday night. Minnesota has won 11 of 13 games since an eight-game losing streak that ended on Dec. 18. "We learned a lesson during our losing streak that the first and third quarters are the most important," Garnett said. "We've tried to come out and be more explosive, and ever since we figured that out we've been winning." After leading by nine points at halftime, the Wolves broke the game open with a 30-14 run. The Wolves shot 13-of-20 (65 percent) in the third quarter, while the Celtics hit only 4 of 17 (23 percent). Garnett scored nine of his points during a key 14-2 spurt, including a 3-pointer with 7:42 left in the quarter. It was his 19th 3-pointer of the season after making only 21 in his first four seasons. He also added 10 rebounds for his 22nd double-double of the season. Terrell Brandon had 20 points and 11 assists for the Timberwolves (18-15). Wally Szczerbiak, back in the lineup for only the second time after missing five games with an injured knee, added 14 points in 25 minutes. Minnesota shot 52 percent for the game, extending their club record of shooting 50 percent or better to five straight games. "When the Celtics pressed, we got a lot of easy shots and layups," Szczerbiak said. "They were dog-tired; their players were even saying that on the court, so we stayed on them." Paul Pierce led the Celtics with 17 points. The Celtics shot just 37 percent (31-of-83) for the game and fell to 2-14 on the road. "Minnesota outplayed us in every phase of the game tonight," Boston coach Rick Pitino said. "They were simply a much better basketball team." Boston has struggled in the second half of back-to-back games this season, winning only once in 11 times. The Celtics had beaten the Clippers on Wednesday night. "We couldn't really match their intensity tonight," Pierce said. "We got some open looks and just couldn't make the ball go down. They got the same looks and made the shots." The Wolves built a double-digit lead late in the first quarter and maintained it for much of the second. Antoine Walker kept the Celtics in the game with 10 points and 10 rebounds in the first half. But he shot just 1-of-8 and was held without a rebound in the second half. Anthony Peeler shot 5-of-6 in the second quarter and scored 11 points. Peeler has scored in double figures in five of the Wolves' last seven games after recording seven consecutive single-digit games. Six Timberwolves finished in double figures as Minnesota maintained the balanced scoring that has characterized its latest roll. "Kevin's been doing a good job of letting the game come to him," Szczerbiak said. "We have a lot of talented players, and he's doing a good job of finding whoever's open when they double-team him. They can't guard us all at once." Game notesGarnett has scored in double figures in his last 162 games, the longest current streak in the NBA. ... Minnesota, the NBA's least accurate 3-point shooting team, has made 16-of-28 (57 percent) in the past four games. ... Boston is 5-12 in its last 17 games. ... Kenny Anderson has scored in double figures in the past 15 games. ... The Wolves have won the last three games in the series. ... Garnett wrote "B.P. 13 R.I.P. on the tape around his ankles in memory of Charlotte Hornets guard Bobby Phills, killed Wednesday in a car accident. | ALSO SEE NBA Scoreboard Boston Clubhouse Minnesota Clubhouse RECAPS New Jersey 110 LA Clippers 105
Minnesota 103
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