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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME FLOW
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – With the team's future in Vancouver in
question, the Grizzlies just keep winning.
|  | | Michael Dickerson throws down two of his game-high 24 points. |
Shareef Abdur-Rahim had 20 points and 15 rebounds Sunday to lead
the Grizzlies over Minnesota 110-102.
Vancouver has won four straight since NBA commissioner David
Stern gave the team permission to explore a move.
"We're just playing out there and having fun," Abdur-Rahim
said after his team extended the longest winning streak in
franchise history. "I don't think the team moving has anything to
do with it. We're just playing good basketball."
Since Monday's announcement, New Orleans; St. Louis; Las Vegas;
Louisville, Ky.; Nashville; and Hartford, Conn., have expressed
interest in the Grizzlies, a team that says it will lose $40
million this season.
"They seem to be playing better since they know they're leaving
Vancouver," Minnesota head coach Flip Saunders said jokingly. "I
don't know if that's a coincidence or what."
Michael Dickerson had 24 points, Erick Strickland had 14 and
Stromile Swift added 13 for Vancouver, which won for the first time
in 12 games at Target Center.
"We're just trying to play hard," Grizzlies head coach Sidney
Lowe said. "We still have a lot to do. If we win 8-of-10 or
9-of-10 I'll say, 'We have it"'
Kevin Garnett had 16 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists for
the Timberwolves, who have lost four in a row for the second time
this season.
"Focus-wise we've gotten away from playing good defense,"
Garnett said. "I'm speaking about the entire team, not just
myself."
Garnett shot only 4 of 22 from the field for Minnesota, which
had won a franchise-best 11 straight before the current streak.
Terrell Brandon scored 15 points, but was only 7-of-17.
"We need to stay within our character," Brandon said. "We
need to practice hard and play hard."
LaPhonso Ellis had 16 points and six rebounds for Minnesota.
Vancouver went on a key 11-4 run midway through the fourth
quarter to take a 99-90 lead with 3:20 left. The Timberwolves did
not get closer than eight the rest of the way.
"Everybody just came out and played together tonight,"
Dickerson said. "Every time we play together we have a chance."
Sam Mitchell scored seven points in the first quarter and Rasho
Nesterovic added six as Minnesota took a 26-21 lead.
Strickland led Vancouver back early in the second quarter with
two 3-pointers, and the Grizzlies led 42-39 with 4:06 remaining.
"I just want to be a spark out there," Strickland said.
"Whether it's at the beginning of the game or off the bench."
Minnesota led 52-50 at halftime, powered by Ellis' 10 points and
five rebounds in the second quarter.
Game notes
Minnesota starters combined to shoot just 26 for 67 (38.8
percent) from he field, while its reserves shot 17 for 23 (74
percent). ... Entering Sunday's games, only six games separated
teams 1-8 in the Western Conference standings. Minnesota was in
seventh place, a half-game behind Dallas and a half-game ahead of
Phoenix. ... After losing 15 straight on the road, Vancouver has
won two in a row. ... Grizzlies coach Sidney Lowe played with
Minnesota for the 1989-90 season and coached the Timberwolves from
1992-1994. Lowe's time in Minnesota also included two stints as
assistant coach.
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ALSO SEE
NBA Scoreboard
Vancouver Clubhouse
Minnesota Clubhouse
RECAPS
San Antonio 92
Toronto 74
Philadelphia 104
Phoenix 98
New Jersey 102
LA Clippers 96
Utah 94
Sacramento 90
Vancouver 110
Minnesota 102
Indiana 110
LA Lakers 109
Orlando 96
New York 88
Washington 101
Denver 98
Atlanta 98
Golden State 91
AUDIO/VIDEO
 The Grizzlies' Michael Dickerson hits the jumper over Anthony Peeler.
avi: 487 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
Kevin Garnett dishes to Radoslav Nesterovic for the dunk.
avi: 389 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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