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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -- Thanks to the fourth-quarter scoring of Kevin
Garnett and the calming influence of Terrell Brandon, the Minnesota
Timberwolves extended their winning streak to seven games.
Minnesota rallied from eight points down in the fourth quarter
to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 99-96 Monday night.
|  | | Todd Day and the Wolves raised the ante in the Midwest again with their seventh win in a row. |
Garnett scored 13 of his 29 points in the final quarter,
channeling his energy in an emotional game that featured four
technical fouls and the ejection of Wolves' coach Flip Saunders.
Brandon added 20 points, 16 assists, and perhaps most
importantly, a calming presence on the court when Saunders picked
up his second technical and was tossed by referee Jim Clark with
2:33 left in the third quarter.
"This is who I am," Brandon said of his reserved nature. "We
are an emotional team, but I'm the same way every day. A lot of
people don't understand that; it's just who I am as a player and as
a man."
The 16 assists tied Brandon's career-high.
Brandon's two free throws with 25.4 seconds to play gave
Minnesota a 99-96 lead, and the Wolves survived four Milwaukee
shots before the final buzzer. Ray Allen missed an open 3-pointer,
and Tim Thomas' desperation trey at the buzzer bounced off the rim.
"We got really lucky at the end," said Timberwolves assistant
coach Jerry Sichting, who took over when Saunders was ejected.
"Ray doesn't miss those shots too often."
Wally Szczerbiak had given the Wolves a 97-95 lead with 1:11 to
play on a 17-foot jumper. Glenn Robinson, who led Milwaukee with 25
points, made one of two free throws with one minute to play, and
Garnett missed two free throws with 48 seconds left.
Allen's jump shot at the other end spun out, and Brandon made
his two free throws.
"I thought both shots were going in," Allen said. "I had a
great rhythm. It's going to stay with me for a while because I had
the opportunity to win the game."
Garnett had also received a technical foul early in the game and
was just 7-for-18 shooting through three quarters. But with the
Bucks up 76-68 with 11:05 to play, he scored three consecutive
baskets, including a three-point play to key a 15-7 run that tied
the score at 83-83 with 6:53 to play.
From there the game seesawed with neither team gaining more than
a two-point lead until the final margin. The game featured 16 lead
changes and 17 ties.
Garnett shot 6-of-8 in the fourth quarter and added 18 rebounds
in the game.
"As of late, Terrell's been carrying us," Garnett said. "I
was trying to make things happen in the fourth quarter, and the
team is pretty good at following my lead."
The Wolves used an early 13-0 run to build a 27-16 lead, but
Milwaukee ended the half on a 22-10 run. All 22 of the points came
from the trio of Thomas, Robinson and Allen.
Allen finished with 24 points, and Thomas had 18 off the bench.
The Bucks played without point guard Sam Cassell, who missed the
game because of bronchitis.
Game notes
Saunders said Brandon deserved to be an All-Star selection
when reserves are announced Tuesday: "He's been the best point
guard in the league the past four weeks. He's playing like an
All-Star. He's knocking down open shots, moving up in the league in
steals; he's doing everything." With 35 steals in his last 11
games, Brandon is now third in the NBA with 2.3 a game. ... Wolves
guard Chauncey Billups saw his first action in six games since
spraining his left ankle, playing five minutes. ... Minnesota
native Joel Pryzbilla got the start at center for the Bucks, his
ninth start of the year. ... Minnesota is 2-2 all-time in the games
in which Saunders has been ejected.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Milwaukee Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 99
Detroit 87
Washington 95
Cleveland 89
Phoenix 95
Atlanta 82
Minnesota 99
Milwaukee 96
Utah 97
Denver 91
Vancouver 97
New Jersey 86
Charlotte 93
Golden State 85
San Antonio 96
LA Clippers 67
FROM
ATHLETESDIRECT
George Karl Official Site
Kevin Garnett Official Site
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