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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) -- Stephon Marbury picked the perfect
time to return to the New Jersey Nets' lineup.
Marbury, who missed four games with a sprained ankle, scored 27
points against his former team as the Nets beat Minnesota 116-94 Tuesday night and snapped the Timberwolves' four-game winning
streak.
"We played hard, we played smart and we played aggressive,"
Marbury said. "The guys were happy I was playing and I was happy
to be playing.
"They accepted the challenge. They know how much it means to me
to beat these guys."
Nets coach Byron Scott said the game showed Marbury's value with
the Nets.
"Obviously, having Stephon was a boost to the team," Scott
said. "He was definitely ready to play. It just goes to show you
how important he is to this team and this franchise.
"He was really motivated tonight because, No. 1, we were
playing Minnesota and, No. 2, he hadn't played in a while," Scott
said.
The Nets, who had lost 10 of their past 11, including three of
four in Marbury's absence, never trailed.
Marbury, who played just three quarters, was energized in the
first period. He hit seven of his first eight shots, scoring 16
points and adding four assists as the Nets jumped out to a 36-24
lead.
The Timberwolves scored the first six points of the second
quarter, and cut their deficit to 36-30. The Nets countered with a
13-5 burst that included four points by Marbury, for a 58-46 lead
at the intermission.
"I did not see this coming," said Timberwolves' coach Flip
Saunders, whose club was coming off a 96-91 victory over Philadelphia on Monday night. "The one thing we have not done well are back-to-backs.
"He (Stephon) knows the way I feel about him," Saunders said.
"The respect I have for him because he has the ability to go out
and dominate a game."
Wally Szczerbiak opened the third quarter with a dunk, pulling
the Timberwolves to 10 points, 58-48. The Nets went on a 19-6
run and opened a 77-54 lead with 6:07 remaining.
Marbury was the catalyst, scoring seven in the spurt, including
a spectacular alley-oop reverse dunk that gave New Jersey a
23-point lead and brought a gasp of amazement from the crowd.
"I wasn't amazed," Marbury said with a chuckle. "But I
couldn't believe that I caught it and dunk it. I thought I was too
far away and didn't think I was high enough. But I got it."
Kenyon Martin scored 20 points, Jackson, who threw the pass on
Marbury's dunk, and Sherman Douglas each added 14. Aaron Williams
added 13 points and 13 rebounds.
Kevin Garnett had 21 points and 10 rebounds for Minnesota.
Game notes
Kendall Gill missed his fourth consecutive game for the Nets
with tendinitis in the right knee. ... Nets coach Byron Scott says
he wants to see Gill practice before he can predict when he will
return. ... Scott also said he doesn't expect to see Keith Van Horn
in the lineup until January. ... The two teams split their series
last season with each winning at home. ... Marbury averaged 33
points in those two games against his former teammates while Garrett
averaged 32.5.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Minnesota Clubhouse
New Jersey Clubhouse
RECAPS
Toronto 104
Indiana 90
Cleveland 92
Dallas 87
New Jersey 116
Minnesota 94
Atlanta 107
Sacramento 99
Miami 96
Denver 85
Seattle 97
Orlando 92
Portland 101
Golden State 93
Milwaukee 109
LA Lakers 105
 FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Kevin Garnett Official Site
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