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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- With Glen Rice headed for the sideline, the
New York Knicks needed Allan Houston to rebound from his illness.
Houston got well in a hurry and scored 27 points, including a
critical jumper with 50 seconds remaining, in the Knicks' 88-79
victory Saturday night over the Minnesota Timberwolves.
A stomach virus knocked Houston out of the Knicks' lineup for
the first time in 258 games Friday night against Chicago. A sore
foot would send Rice to the sideline for the second half of the
Knicks' game Saturday night. The Knicks also were without Marcus
Camby, who missed his fourth game because of a strained groin.
"We needed minutes from Allan," Van Gundy said. "We got more
than just minutes. We got good minutes."
Houston said he became determined Friday night that he would
play Saturday and felt better when he woke up in the morning.
Rice's foot was aggravated in Friday night's game and got worse
Saturday. He said it has been bothering him for two months.
"It's pretty sore right now," Rice said. "But I haven't got
time to rest it. The only thing I can do now is get a lot of
treatment and hope it gets better."
The Wolves' Kevin Garnett had 16 points and 10 rebounds, but his
16-game stretch of 20 points or more was snapped by Larry Johnson's
defensive effort.
"Larry really anchored us tonight," Van Gundy said. "You
don't stop Kevin Garnett. He's too good for that, but you can fight
him. Larry did that. Larry is one of the best defensive forwards in
basketball."
Minnesota led 19-17 in the first quarter but went the next 6:29
without a field goal. The Timberwolves never led again after being
outscored 13-2 and falling behind 30-21.
But the Timberwolves pulled within 58-57 with 4:25 left in the
third quarter. Latrell Sprewell, who had 27 points, took over and
scored 10 points in a 12-5 run as the Knicks built their lead to
70-62.
The Knicks led 80-65 with 5:49 remaining, but the Wolves went on
an 14-4 run to pull to 84-79 with 1:10 remaining on a three-point
play by Wally Szczerbiak, who scored 22. Houston's jumper with 50
seconds left thwarted the Wolves' rally.
"We were scrambling and hustling out there, trying to make
something happen," said the Wolves' Terrell Brandon, who had 13
points and 10 assists. "We had to keep reminding ourselves that a
lot can happen in a short amount of time."
Game notes
The Knicks, who lead the NBA in scoring defense, held their
25th consecutive opponent under 100 points -- three games short of
tying the NBA record. The Fort Wayne Pistons held 28 straight
opponents under 100 during the 1954-55 season, the NBA's first
using a shot clock. ... The Knicks outrebounded the Wolves 54-38,
grabbing 15 on the offensive end. ... The Wolves' Chauncey Billups
played though a broken tooth and cut lip that forced him to miss
the second half of Thursday night's game against Atlanta.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
New York Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
Orlando 95
Boston 90
Houston 114
Dallas 99
Seattle 104
Charlotte 102
Miami 110
Detroit 102
San Antonio 89
Indiana 77
New York 88
Minnesota 79
Philadelphia 107
Sacramento 104
Phoenix 109
Toronto 103
Denver 120
Milwaukee 113
Golden State 102
Vancouver 101
LA Lakers 116
LA Clippers 114
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
Kevin Garnett Official Site
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